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

Composition of the Commission

  • Chairman: The President.
  • Vice-Chairman: The National Security Adviser.
  • Members: Secretaries of Justice, Interior and Local Government, National Defense; Chief of Staff of Armed Forces; Director-General of Philippine National Police; and four private sector representatives appointed by the President.
  • The Commission may establish an Executive Committee from among its members.
  • Commission exercises control and supervision over task forces and special project groups.
  • Facilitates consultation among civic and societal sectors and recommends policies to the President.

Powers and Functions of the Commission

  • Prepare and implement a fast-track anti-crime and anti-corruption agenda.
  • Conduct intelligence and counter-intelligence operations to identify criminal elements and corrupt officials.
  • Direct arrest, investigation, and prosecution of syndicates and corrupt government officials, respecting constitutional processes.
  • Refer cases to the Department of Justice or other agencies as appropriate.
  • Follow-up on investigation and prosecution progress.
  • Recommend legislation and anti-crime issuances.
  • Select and recruit personnel for task forces from law enforcement agencies.
  • Enlist assistance of government departments and state-owned corporations in anti-crime efforts.
  • Grant monetary rewards to informants subject to laws.
  • Coordinate with the Witness Protection Program.
  • Access government documents and facilities for investigations, subject to presidential approval.
  • Recruit civilian intelligence personnel.

Scope of Offenses Covered

  • Crimes by organized/syndicated groups including gunrunning, illegal logging, kidnapping, drug trafficking, smuggling, piracy, large-scale swindling, counterfeiting, and others.
  • Heinous crimes under Republic Act No. 7659.
  • Crimes committed by PNP and AFP members.
  • Offenses by government officials and employees including those in government-owned corporations.
  • Other crimes as determined by the President.
  • Organized/syndicated crime groups defined as two or more persons collaborating in criminal activities, often with government protection.

Assistance and Support from Government Agencies

  • The Commission and its task forces may call upon any government agency or local government unit for assistance.

Composition and Leadership of Task Forces

  • Task forces composed of selected members from PNP, AFP, and other agencies.
  • Heads of task forces appointed or designated by the President.

Command and Control Structure

  • Task Force Chief reports directly to the President.
  • Task Force Chief supervises and controls all units and personnel of the task forces.
  • Component units remain attached to their parent agencies but operationally report to the task forces.

Funding

  • Budget included in the Office of the President’s budget proposal.
  • The Commission Chairman determines budget allocation among task forces and involved agencies.

Operating Guidelines

  • Operating rules to be adopted in coordination with law enforcement agencies.
  • Reports and recommendations submitted to the President.
  • Existing task forces continue functions except where inconsistent with this order.

Coordination with Other Law Enforcement Agencies

  • Reinforces PNP as the primary law enforcement agency per Republic Act No. 6975.
  • Requires strong cooperation among task force chiefs, PNP Chief, and other agency heads.
  • Encourages vertical and lateral coordination while preserving operational security.

Repealing Clause

  • Repeals or modifies provisions in Executive Orders Nos. 8, 61, and 62 inconsistent with this order.

Effectivity

  • The order takes effect immediately upon signing.

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster, building context before diving into full texts. AI-powered analysis, always verify critical details.