Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 181)
The purpose of Commonwealth Act No. 181 is to create a Division of Investigation under the Department of Justice to help in the detection and prosecution of crimes, acquire, collect, classify and preserve criminal identification records, and obtain information on all matters affecting the public interest.
The Division of Investigation is created under the Department of Justice.
The Chief of the Division of Investigation and its subordinate personnel are appointed by the Secretary of Justice, subject to the approval of the President.
The duties of the Division of Investigation include helping in the detection and prosecution of crimes, acquiring, collecting, classifying and preserving criminal identification records, and obtaining information on all matters affecting the public interest.
Yes, the Chief of the Division of Investigation and designated subordinate personnel are considered peace officers.
They are empowered to serve warrants and subpoenas issued under the authority of the Government of the Commonwealth; to make searches and seizures under legal warrant; and to make arrests without warrant under certain conditions.
They can make an arrest without a warrant when a crime has been committed in their presence or view, or if they have reasonable grounds to strongly believe the person is guilty and there is a likelihood the person might escape before a warrant can be obtained.
The person arrested must be immediately taken before the competent court of justice.
The Act appropriates seventy-five thousand pesos or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Philippine Treasury for the Division of Investigation.
The expenditure of funds is at the discretion of the Secretary of Justice, subject only to the supervision of the President.
The Act took effect upon its approval on November 13, 1936.