Her General Order No. 5 implemented this by outlawing “actions... obstructing governance, including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people’s confidence in government, and their faith in the future of this country.” Arroyo authorized military and police to make arrests without warrants, ban demonstrations and gatherings, take over newspapers and broadcast media, and generally “prevent or suppress... any act of insurrection or rebellion, and to enforce obedience to all... decrees, orders and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon my direction.” Internationalist Group/League for the Fourth International at February 27 New York City protest against Philippines state of emergency.
Ang kanyang General Order No. 5 ang nagpatupad nito sa pamamagitan ng pagdedeklarang iligal ang lahat ng “mga aksyon…na pumipigil sa paggo-gobyerno, kasama ang mga pumipigil sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at sumasabotahe sa kumpyansa ng mamamayan sa paggo-gobyerno, at ng kanilang paniniwala sa kinabukasan ng bansang ito.” Binibigyang otorisasyon ni Arroyo ang pulis at militar na mang-aresto ng walang warrant, ipagbawal ang mga demonstrasyon at pagtitipon, i-take over ang mga pahayagan at broadcast media, at sa pangkalahatan, “pigilin at supilin…ang anumang aksyong insureksyon o rebelyon, at ipatupad ang agsunod ng lahat…sa mga batas at regulasyon na personal kong isinabatas o aking ini-utos.”