Title
Creation of Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission
Law
Executive Order No. 295
Decision Date
Sep 28, 2000
Joseph Ejercito Estrada establishes the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to enhance the investigation and prosecution of organized crime and corruption in government, consolidating various task forces under a unified command to effectively combat criminal syndicates.
A

Composition of the Commission

  • The President serves as Chairman.
  • The National Security Adviser is Vice-Chairman.
  • Members include Secretary of Justice, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Secretary of National Defense, Chief of Staff AFP, Director-General of Philippine National Police, and four private sector representatives appointed by the President.
  • Chairman may form an Executive Committee and define its functions.
  • The Commission supervises task forces and enlists civic associations for policy formulation.

Powers and Functions

  • Formulate and implement a fast track anti-crime and anti-corruption agenda.
  • Conduct intelligence and counter-intelligence to identify government officials and crime syndicates involved in criminal activities.
  • Direct arrests, investigations, and prosecutions with respect to constitutional processes.
  • Refer cases to Department of Justice or other law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
  • Monitor progress of ongoing investigations and prosecutions.
  • Recommend legislation and issuances against crime.
  • Recruit personnel from PNP, AFP, and other agencies for task force assignments.
  • Enlist government agencies’ assistance including GOs and GOCCs in the campaign.
  • Grant monetary rewards to informants.
  • Coordinate with Witness Protection Program to evaluate and assess witnesses.
  • Access documents, installations, and facilities of government entities subject to Presidential approval.
  • Recruit civilians for intelligence efforts.

Offenses Covered

  • Crimes by organized/syndicated groups including gunrunning, illegal logging, kidnapping, white slavery, illegal recruitment, carnapping, smuggling, piracy, drug trafficking, falsification, swindling, piracy, counterfeiting, and bank frauds.
  • Heinous crimes under Republic Act No. 7659.
  • Crimes committed by PNP and AFP members.
  • Crimes committed by government officials and employees, including those in GOs and GOCCs.
  • Additional crimes designated by the President.
  • Defines organized/syndicated crime groups as two or more persons collaborating in crimes, often protected by government/public officials.

Assistance from Government Agencies

  • Commission and task forces may call for assistance from any government agency or local government units.

Composition and Leadership of Task Forces

  • Task forces composed of selected PNP, AFP members, and representatives from other agencies.
  • The President appoints or designates the head of task forces.

Command and Control

  • The Task Force Chief reports directly to the President.
  • Chief has immediate supervision and control over all task force units.
  • Personnel from various agencies attached but under operational control of the Task Forces.

Funding

  • Budget included in the Office of the President's proposal.
  • Chairman determines allocation for task forces and participating law enforcement or military units.

Operating Guidelines

  • Commission and task forces must adopt guidelines coordinating with law enforcement agencies.
  • Reports and recommendations submitted to the President.
  • Existing task forces continue functions except where inconsistent with this order.

Coordination With Law Enforcement

  • Task forces focus on organized/syndicated and heinous crimes.
  • PNP remains primary general law enforcement agency per RA 6975.
  • Encourages close coordination among task forces, PNP, and other agencies to ensure synergy.
  • Emphasizes vertical and lateral coordination with security to avoid compromise of police operations.

Repealing Clause

  • Repeals inconsistent provisions of Executive Orders Nos. 8, 61, and 62 issued previously.

Effectivity

  • The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon signing.

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