Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 463)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 463, s. 2005 is to create the National Anti-Crime Task Force (NACTAF) under the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to enhance coordination among agencies to effectively combat criminality, streamline anti-crime task forces, and intensify the fight against heinous crimes in the Philippines.
The National Anti-Crime Task Force (NACTAF) is headed by the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
Section 2 of Executive Order No. 295 (s. 2000) was amended to designate the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government as the Vice-Chairman of the PAOCC, while the National Security Adviser remains as a member.
The NACTAF has powers including directing operations and arrests, conducting intelligence and counter-intelligence operations, referring cases to the DOJ, monitoring prosecutions, initiating forfeiture proceedings, selecting personnel, calling upon government agencies for assistance, granting rewards to informants, coordinating witness protection, developing public awareness campaigns, recommending policies or laws, undertaking research and maintaining crime databases, and cooperating with international law enforcement agencies.
The NACTAF has authority over heinous crimes defined and penalized under Republic Act No. 7659 (Heinous Crime Law), as well as other related laws and crimes as directed by the President.
EO No. 463 explicitly states in Section 6 that nothing shall be construed as derogating the PNP's role as the primary general law enforcement agency, pursuant to R.A. Nos. 6975 and 8551, and emphasizes close coordination between the NACTAF Head, the Chief of the PNP, and other law enforcement heads.
The NACTAF can arrest and investigate crime suspects, conduct intelligence operations, refer cases to the DOJ or investigative bodies, monitor prosecution progress, and refer cases involving illegal proceeds for seizure and forfeiture.
NACTAF must coordinate with various government agencies and law enforcement bodies for joint operations and must submit quarterly reports of its activities with recommendations to the President and copies to the PAOCC.
The NACTAF's operational budget is sourced from the PAOCC's budget and other available funds, and its budget shall be incorporated into PAOCC's budget proposal under the Office of the President.
EO No. 463 took effect immediately upon its signing on September 23, 2005.