Title
Task Force vs Military and Police Scalawags EO 280
Law
Executive Order No. 280
Decision Date
Oct 16, 1995
A Presidential Task Force is created to combat organized crimes involving scalawags in the military and law enforcement agencies in the Philippines, conducting intelligence and counterintelligence operations to identify and prosecute personnel involved in criminal activities.

Law Summary

Creation and Organization

  • Established a Presidential Task Force on Intelligence and Counterintelligence Against Scalawags.
  • Headed by the Chief, Intelligence Service, AFP.
  • Deputy commanders: one from PNP (Intelligence/Operations) and one from NBI (Investigation and Legal Affairs).
  • Includes Executive Officer, functional staff, and a Task Force Operations Center (TFOC).
  • Component forces from PNP, NBI, DOJ, NICA, AFP Major Service CI Units, ISAFP, and other entities.
  • National, regional task group setups, with a priority list of regions for field operations.

Leadership and Structure

  • Task Force Commander reports directly to the President.
  • Direct supervision and control over all components.
  • Personnel assigned from respective agencies form permanent component forces.
  • Each component has a designated commander reporting to the Task Force Commander.

Coordination and Authority

  • Authorized to seek assistance from any government branch or agency, including government-owned/controlled corporations.
  • Task Force Commander exercises directive and supervisory authority over attached personnel.

Powers and Functions

  • Conduct intelligence and counterintelligence to identify active/former military and police involved in crimes.
  • Direct immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution following constitutional processes.
  • Refer cases to PACC or other agencies if appropriate.
  • Monitor progress of investigations and prosecutions.
  • Recommend anti-crime policies and legislation.
  • Execute special anti-crime operations as directed by the President.

Duties and Assigned Roles

  • Task Force Commander: leads overall operations and implementation.
  • Deputy Commander for Intelligence/Operations: advises on intelligence and operations.
  • Deputy Commander for Legal and Investigation: advises on legal and investigative matters.
  • Executive Officer: supervises staff and ensures policy implementation.
  • Working Staff: manages personnel, logistics, intelligence, and legal issues.
  • TFOC: Monitors day-to-day activities.
  • DOJ Component: prosecutes cases and secures warrants.
  • Intelligence units (NICA, PNP, NBI, AFP CI Units): handle case buildup and evidence collection.
  • Regional Task Groups: conduct field operations and prosecutions regionally.

Operational Guidelines

  • Focus primarily on scalawags involved in criminal activities.
  • Prioritize dismantling organized criminal groups, especially those involving military/police personnel.
  • Target key crimes: kidnap for ransom, bank/pawnshop robbery (primary); drug trafficking, gunrunning, carnapping (secondary).
  • Operations require prior clearance from Task Force Commander.
  • Component forces may operate jointly or independently depending on needs.
  • Original agencies get first chance to investigate scalawags in their ranks.
  • Aim of counteractions is to bring suspects to justice.

Funding

  • Initial allocation of PHP 20 million from the Office of the President's contingency fund or government savings for 1995.
  • Additional funds contingent on Presidential approval and government budget inclusion thereafter.

Effectivity

  • The Order took effect immediately upon signing on October 16, 1995.

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