The President has already made clear in his media interview in Cagayan de Oro that as the Commander-in-Chief he allowed the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to decide on matters pertaining to martial law.

General Order No 1, dated May 23, which implements the proclamation of martial law in the whole of Mindanao designated the Secretary of National Defense as the Martial Law Administrator and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the Martial Law Implementor. They can undertake all measures to prevent and suppress all acts of rebellion and lawless violence, including seeking technical assistance from the United States, within the limits prescribed by the Constitution.