Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 8)
The Commission is composed of the President (as Chairman), the Secretary of Justice, the National Security Adviser, the Undersecretary of Interior and Local Government, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Director-General of the PNP, and four representatives from the private sector appointed by the President.
The Task Force is empowered to prepare and implement anti-crime agendas, conduct intelligence and counter-intelligence operations, arrest and prosecute crime syndicates and corrupt officials, refer cases to appropriate agencies, recommend legislation, recruit personnel, enlist government assistance, grant rewards to informants, and coordinate witness protection among others.
Crimes include those committed by organized/syndicated groups such as gunrunning, illegal logging, kidnapping for ransom, drug trafficking, falsification of documents, heinous crimes under RA 7659, crimes by PNP/AFP members, crimes by government officials and employees, and other offenses determined by the President.
The Task Force is headed by a senior law enforcement officer appointed by the President, assisted by a Deputy Chief for Operations, a Deputy Chief for Administration, and a Functional Staff. The Functional Staff consists of Administrative/Logistics, Operations, Technical, and Legal and Investigation Divisions.
Assisting agencies include the PNP, NBI, NPS, Bureau of Immigration, BIR, EIIB, Bureau of Customs, NICA, AFP, LTO, Forest Management Bureau, NTC, NCSO, LRA, POEA, and other government agencies deemed necessary by the Task Force.
The Task Force receives an initial allocation of 120 million pesos from the President's Contingency Fund and government savings. Subsequent funding is included in the Office of the President's budget proposal.
They were dissolved and deactivated immediately upon the effectivity of this Executive Order. Their properties and equipment were turned over to the newly created Task Force.
The Task Force Chief reports directly to the President and supervises all Task Force units. The Task Force operates in close coordination with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to ensure synergy and cooperation in the anti-crime campaign.
An organized/syndicated crime group is defined as a group of two or more persons collaborating, confederating, or mutually helping one another in the commission of any crime and sometimes enjoying the protection of people in government and public service.