Preamble
WHEREAS, the fact that the seat of the National Government is within the Greater Manila Area makes it an important hub of governmental, economic, commercial, industrial, as well as diplomatic, tourists and other related but varied activities, which requires the conglomeration of large number of people, including foreigners; WHEREAS, the proximity of centers of population, and the facility of means of transportation, aided by the existence of separate, independent police forces and facilities whose jurisdictions are restricted by political/territorial boundaries renders the Greater Manila Area a virtual haven for criminal elements, who pose a constant danger to the public safety, peace, order and tranquility of the inhabitants therein; WHEREAS, such danger can be prevented, contained and eliminated only through a system of effective law enforcement unhampered by political/territorial considerations or the lack of unity and coordination, not to mention the real or apparent rivalries, conflicts, jealousies and indifference among the city/municipal police forces operating in said area; and WHEREAS, effective law enforcement can be attained only by integrating into and constituting as one unit the said police forces as well as the other facilities directly or indirectly connected with public safety and the maintenance of peace and order, particularly the city/municipal jails for the reformation/correction of offenders and fire departments for the prevention of conflagration that cause economic and social dislocations within the Greater Manila Area, in order that the same may be cohesively organized, better coordinated and effectively directed; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, in my capacity as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamations No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and No. 1104, dated January 17, 1973, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, do hereby order and decree, as follows: