ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 137, August 30, 1968

DIRECTING THE CHIEF OF CONSTABULARY, THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS AND CITY/MUNICIPAL MAYORS TO ORGANIZE A PROVINCIAL STRIKE FORCE UNDER THE CONTROL AND DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE CONSTABULARY PROVINCIAL COMMANDER POOLING TOGETHER AVAILABLE RESOURCES OF THE PHILIPPINES CONSTABULARY AND LOCAL POLICE FORCES

1. ORGANIZATION: The Philippine Constabulary Provincial Commands shall provide the base of the Provincial Strike Force. This force base shall be augmented by available members of the local police forces, who shall also serve as liaisons of their respective departments to the Philippine Constabulary Command in the Province. The Strike Force shall be organized on a team/cellular concept, each capable of undertaking independent, fast and sustained action.

2. CAPABILITY: The Provincial Strike Force shall have the following capability:

a. Mobility necessary for “hot pursuit” in fast-moving situations.

b. Ability to initially contain civil disturbances, riots, and other similar incidents;

c. Ability to operate against armed bands, pirates, and other organized/syndicated criminal groups;

d. Ability to conduct commando-type operations; and

e. Augment local police forces when necessary.

3. OPERATIONAL EMPLOYMENT:

a. The Provincial Strike Force shall serve as the immediate law-enforcement arm of the province in:

1) Combating armed bands, piracy, cattle rustling, and other organized/syndicated criminal activities;

2) Undertaking province-wide pursuit of criminal offenders, wanted persons, escapees and other fugitives from justice; and

3) Augmenting/complementing any local police force when and where a crime situation is beyond the capability of said police force.

b.  It shall also serve as the nucleus of a bigger force that may be formed in emergency situations posing serious threats to the security of the province, such as sedition, rebellion, or large-scale riots.

4. CONTROL AND SUPERVISION: The Provincial Strike Force shall be under the control, direction and supervision of the Provincial Commander.

5. FIELD TEST: Before implementing this Order on a nationwide scale, the effectiveness of said Strike Force shall be tested first in four selected provinces (one in each PC Zone) where the incidence of crime, banditry, piracy, cattle rustling and syndicated criminal activities is high. The selection of the pilot provinces shall be decided by the Chief of Constabulary. This test shall have a duration of six (6) months.

6. TOTAL IMPLEMENTATION: In the event that the aforementioned field that is successful, the Chief of Constabulary is hereby given authority to implement this Order on a nationwide scale.

7. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT: A memorandum of agreement shall be executed by the Provincial Commander, Provincial Governor, and City/Municipal Mayors concerned, defining the following:

a. The number of personnel that such agency shall provide the force;

b. The manner of providing the force with communication and transportation requirements for consideration and mobility, to include their maintenance.

c. The manner of providing the members of the force with their subsistence.

d. The areas of cooperation on police jurisdiction, operations and exchange of police information;

e. The system of training the members of the force; and

f. Other matters that are intended to eliminate any possible conflict/misunderstanding among the agencies concerned in the implementation of this Order.

Done in the City of Manila, this 30th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-nine.

(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RAFAEL M. SALAS

Executive Secretary