Question & AnswerQ&A (ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 212)
The purpose is to create the Presidential Anti-Colorum/Kotong Task Force (PACKTAF) to address the issue of extortion ('kotong') and the proliferation of colorum public utility vehicles in the Philippines.
PACKTAF is created under the Office of the President pursuant to Article VII, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution and Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987.
The bases include: Section 12, Article XII of the Constitution, Section 15 of Commonwealth Act 146, Article VII, Section 17 of the Constitution, and Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987.
'Colorum' public utility vehicles are those operating without the necessary certificate of public convenience or certificate of convenience and public necessity, which is contrary to the law as per Commonwealth Act 146.
'Kotong' refers to extortion or mulcting, which is the illegal practice of demanding money from drivers or operators of public utility vehicles. It is addressed because it adversely affects the livelihood of transport groups and is considered a form of robbery punishable under Articles 293 and 294 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Steering Committee is composed of the Secretaries of the Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Justice (DOJ), Energy (DOE), and National Defense (DND). The DOE Secretary heads the committee.
Undersecretary Roy V. Kyamko is designated as the Task Force Head, responsible for day-to-day activities, monitoring operations, reporting to the Steering Committee, and ensuring compliance with the law and policies.
PACKTAF can direct operations, arrest and investigate suspected extortionists or colorum operators, conduct intelligence operations, request DOJ involvement, monitor prosecutions, call upon DND personnel, require impounding areas, develop public awareness campaigns, conduct studies, coordinate nationwide efforts, and perform other related functions.
It has a maximum of forty-five personnel: 14 officers and 31 non-commissioned officers and civilian employees. Twenty are contractual employees paid from supplemental funds, and 25 are provided by concerned government agencies. Transport groups provide two volunteer consultants, and an active PNP senior officer is appointed as Deputy Head by the President.
An initial amount of Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000,000) is allocated and sourced from any of the corporations supervised by the Department of Energy (DOE).
While PACKTAF coordinates anti-colorum and anti-kotong efforts, nothing in the order derogates the PNP's role as the primary general law enforcement agency pursuant to Republic Acts 6975 and 8551.
The Task Force includes representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Department of National Defense, and accredited transport sector groups.
The operations center of PACKTAF is located at the Department of Energy.
Extortion or mulcting is considered a form of robbery punishable under Articles 293 and 294 of the Revised Penal Code.
Yes, PACKTAF may conduct studies independently or in cooperation with government and non-government organizations and submit findings directly to the President.