BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 9

APPROVING THE COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL PROCESSES

WHEREAS, a primary objective of the Government under the Rule of Law and in accordance with Constitutional processes is the attainment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace which is the basic foundation for social solidarity, economic development and national prosperity;

WHEREAS, the comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front was signed by the Negotiating Panels of both parties on 16 March 1998 in the Hague, the Netherlands, and

WHEREAS, the approval of the Agreement will pave the way for negotiations on the comprehensive agreements on economic, social, political and constitutional reforms that will ensure the attainment of a just and lasting peace and provide a new window of opportunity for promoting and accelerating development efforts in the country;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1. APPROVAL OF THE COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW. The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front signed by the Negotiating Panels of both Parties on 16 March 1998 in the Hague, the Netherlands, is hereby approved for implementation in accordance with Constitutional and legal processes.

SECTION 2. EFFECTIVITY. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of August in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and ninety-eight.

By the President: