Directing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and The Philippine National Police to Suppress the Rebellion in the National Capital Region

Case Overview and Summary

General Order No. 1 Directing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to Suppress the Rebellion in the National Capital Region

- Whereas clauses:
• An armed and violent mob, coming from the EDSA Shrine mass gathering and other armed groups, assaulted and attempted to break into Malacañang with the purpose of overthrowing the government and seizing political power. (Section 1)
• The mob rose publicly, showed open hostility, and took up arms against the government to remove allegiance of certain Armed Forces and Police units, and to deprive the President of her powers and prerogatives, constituting the crime of rebellion under Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code. (Section 1)
• Armed groups recruited by leaders and conspirators rose publicly and by use of arms to overthrow the government and seize political power. (Section 2)

- Operative clauses:
• Under Article VII, Section 18 of the Constitution, the President as Commander-in-Chief may call out the armed forces to suppress rebellion. (Section 3)
• President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo calls upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to suppress and quell the rebellion. (Section 4)
• The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and the Chief of the Philippine National Police, and their officers and men, are directed to immediately carry out necessary and appropriate actions and measures to suppress and quell the rebellion with due regard to constitutional rights. (Section 5)