WHEREAS, Presidential Proclamation No. 1081 envisioned,
among other goals, the bringing about of a social order characterized by
a high state of discipline among the citizenry;
WHEREAS, subversion, sabotage, rebellion, insurrection,
criminality and smuggling mentioned in the aforesaid Proclamation No.
1081 are committed and abetted by the use of watercraft of less than 100
gross tons and capable of cruising with a speed in excess of fifteen
(15) knots;
WHEREAS, it has been observed that speedboats and other
similar type of watercraft are flagrantly used by criminal elements for
purposes inimical to national interest and security;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution do
hereby order and decree, that;
It shall be unlawful for any person, owner or possessor of
any watercraft to less than one. hundred (100) gross tons, to
install on board, high-powered inboard and/or outboard engines such
as Volvo PENTAS, MERCRUISER, etc., that are capable of providing
propelling power speed to any such watercraft in excess of fifteen (15)
knots: Provided that this Decree shall not apply to such engines
installed in watercraft owned and/or operated by the Armed
Forces of the Philippines;
Effective immediately, it shall be unlawful to
own and/or operate vessel/watercraft less than one hundred
(100) gross tons with high-powered inboard and or outboard engines
capable of providing speed exceeding fifteen (15) knots,
other than those constructed with the approval of the
Philippine Coast Guard and duly registered therewith. Such
vessel/watercraft or engines shall be subject to seizure and custody;
Provided, that the Philippine Coast Guard shall exercise exclusive
jurisdiction over seizure proceeding against vessels apprehended for
violation of the provision of this Decree and such implementing
regulations thereof: Provided, finally, that such seizure proceedings
maybe instituted independently of a criminal action.
Any person violating this Decree shall be prosecuted before the
Military Tribunal and upon conviction, shall suffer an imprisonment
ranging from two to four years and a fine ranging from P5,000 to
P10,000 without prejudice to further prosecution for such other
offenses/crimes in violation of other General Orders,Presidential
Decrees and/or Letters of Instruction promulgated under said
Proclamation No. 1081: Provided further, that the crew of the same
vessel/watercraft, the president, manager, members of the board of
directors or responsible officers of any public, private firms,
companies, corporation or entities who shall knowingly cause or allow
the installation of such high-powered engines in such vessel/watercraft
shall suffer similar punishment as above; Provided finally that
conviction of the offender(s) carries with it the forfeiture of said
vessel/watercraft in favor of the government under the direct control
and operation of the Secretary of National Defense for use in law
enforcement activities.
The Secretary of National Defense shall promulgate the implementing
rules and regulations of this Decree. This Decree shall take effect
immediately.
Done in the City of Manila this 19th day of
February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary