Law Summary
Creation and Oversight
- Establishment of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) under the Office of the President
- Positioned under general supervision and control of the National Police Commission
- Tasked with formulating and implementing a concerted program of action for prevention and control of transnational crime
Organizational Structure
- Headed by an Executive Director appointed by the President
- Six directorates:
- Operations
- Plans and Programs
- Research
- Technology Management
- Administration and Finance
- Other directorates as needed
Powers and Functions
- Develop and maintain a shared central database using modern IT for criminal information
- Supervise and control anti-transnational crime operations of government agencies
- Create a central database on national and international legislation and jurisprudence related to transnational crime
- Establish a research center to analyze the structure, dynamics, and trends of transnational crime
- Design capacity-building programs and support international cooperation efforts
- Facilitate information exchange and training with foreign governments and international organizations
- Select personnel from government agencies for detailed assignments within PCTC
- Enlist support and resources from various government departments and agencies
- Execute additional functions as directed by the President
Covered Crimes
- Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
- Money laundering
- Terrorism
- Arms smuggling
- Trafficking in persons
- Piracy
- Other crimes impacting national stability and security
Collaborating Government Agencies
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
- National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking and Anti-Terrorism (NACAHT)
- Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF)
- Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force (PASTF)
- National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM)
- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Finance (DOF)
- Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
- Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)
- National Prosecution Service (NPS)
- Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID)
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB)
- Bureau of Customs (BOC)
- National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)
- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
- Land Transportation Office (LTO)
- National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
- National Statistics and Census Office (NSCO)
- Other relevant government agencies as necessary
Command and Control Structure
- Executive Director reports to the President through the Secretary of Interior and Local Government
- Executive Director controls and supervises all PCTC units and operations
- Has authority over personnel and resources detailed to PCTC from other government agencies
Operating Guidelines and Reporting
- PCTC shall adopt operational guidelines in coordination with concerned agencies
- Guidelines require approval by the President
- PCTC must submit activity reports with recommendations to the President
Coordination with Other Government Agencies
- Clear distinction: PCTC focuses on transnational crime; PNP remains the primary general law enforcement agency
- Strong coordination and cooperation required between PCTC Executive Director, PNP Chief, and agency heads
- Vertical and lateral coordination among operating units encouraged, maintaining operational security
Funding Provisions
- Initial annual budget of Php 100,000,000 for 1999 from President's Contingency Fund and government savings
- Future funding to be part of the Office of the President's budget proposals
Effectivity
- Law takes immediate effect upon issuance
This Executive Order institutionalizes a centralized, technology-enabled, coordinated effort against transnational crimes, leveraging the resources and expertise of multiple government agencies under strict presidential supervision.