Republic Act No. 6734/Article XIV

by Congress of the Philippines

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Article XIV

PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY

Section 1. The Regional Government shall give priority to the maintenance and preservation of peace and order and the protection of life, liberty and property in the Autonomous Region, in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Sec. 2. The Regional Assembly shall, by law, create a Regional Police Force as an integral part of the Philippine National Police under the administration and control of the National Police Commission. It shall be headed by a police commissioner with two deputies, who shall all be inhabitants of the Autonomous Region, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Regional Governor.

Sec. 3. The regional police shall be under the supervision of the Regional Governor: Provided, That city or municipal mayors, who are hereby constituted as representatives of the National Police Commission, shall have operational control and supervision of the police force within their constituent units in accordance with law and appropriate rules and regulations.

Sec. 4. The defense and security of the Autonomous Region shall be the responsibility of the National Government. Towards this end, there is hereby created a regional command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the Autonomous Region, which shall be organized, maintained and utilized in accordance with national laws. The National Government shall have the authority to station and deploy in the Autonomous Region sufficient elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Provided, That inhabitants of the Autonomous Region shall be given preference in assignments therein.

Sec. 5. The provisions of the preceding sections notwithstanding, the Regional Governor may request the President of the Philippines to call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines:

(1) To prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion, when the public safety so requires, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution;

(2) To suppress the danger to or breach of peace in the area of autonomy, when the police forces of the Autonomous Region are not able to do so; or

(3) To avert any imminent danger to public order and security in the area of autonomy.

Sec. 6. The Regional Government shall recognize indigenous structures or systems which promote peace and order.