WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), through its Resolution No. 10207 (s- 2017), resolved to request the concurrence of the President in the deputation of law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in connection with the 23 October 2017 Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections;

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 10952 provides for the postponement of the 23 October 2017 Elections and the rescheduling of the said Elections to the second Monday of May 2018;

WHEREAS, on 20 March 2018, the COMELEC En Banc decided to adopt COMELEC Resolution No. 10207 for purposes of the 14 May 2018 Barangay and SK Elections; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2 (4), Article IX-C of the Constitution, the COMELEC is empowered to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the AFP, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, hereby concur with COMELEC Resolution No. 10207, deputizing the law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the AFP, in connection with the 14 May 2018 Synchronized Barangay and SK Elections,

The foregoing law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and cooperate with the COMELEC in the performance of their duties and functions.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 13th day of April  in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eighteen.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

By the President:

(SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretary