WHEREAS, Section 12 of RA 6975, as implemented by Section 14 of Executive Order No. 216, series of 1994, called upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to undertake the primary role in Internal Security Operations in Mindanao;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5 of the above-mentioned executive order, the President, upon the recommendation of the National Peace and Order Council, may call upon the AFP to assume the primary role in the Internal Security Operations, as warranted by the security conditions in the area;

WHEREAS, the kidnapping situation in Mindanao has turned into a serious security concern necessitating the employment of bigger tactical forces;

WHEREAS, the Chairman of the National Peace and Order Council, recognizing the worsening kidnapping condition, has recommended the transfer from the Joint Task Force Tabang, under the DILG-PNP, to the AFP, the anti-Kidnap for Ransom operations in Central Mindanao;

WHEREAS, the AFP has the manpower, expertise and resources, especially aircraft and watercraft, for effective counter-actions to address the MILF Lost Command - led Kidnap for Ransom syndicates who have taken refuge in the Mindanao marshlands;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby direct the transfer to, and designate as lead agency, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) the anti-Kidnap for Ransom operations in Central Mindanao. The Commander of the Southern Command shall be in charge of the over-all operations in his area.

This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 23 day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:
(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary