Policy purpose and declared intent
- The Order is grounded on Section 27 of Republic Act No. 7279 (UDHA), which requires LGUs, with the PNP, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), and PCUP-accredited urban poor organizations, to identify and effectively stall professional squatters and squatting syndicates.
- The Order strengthens the government’s capability to curtail the operations of professional squatters and squatting syndicates.
- The Order links the intensified fight against squatting syndicates to the administration’s mass housing agenda under Executive Order No. 159 (December 12, 1999), which directed fast-tracked mass housing implementation to meet housing needs of the poor.
- The Order identifies the proliferation of professional squatters and squatting syndicates in urban centers as a factor that hamper effective implementation of government mass housing programs.
Legal basis and prior issuances
- Section 27 of Republic Act No. 7279 (UDHA) is cited as the legal basis requiring LGUs and relevant agencies to adopt measures against professional squatters and squatting syndicates.
- Executive Order No. 129 (October 15, 1993) created the National Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters as an oversight, coordinative, and recommendatory body for UDHA implementation.
- Executive Order No. 129 (October 15, 1993) also created the Local Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters as the local implementing arm of the National Committee.
- The Order operates in coordination with the National Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters and directs police support for the Local Committee created under Executive Order No. 129.
- The Order further references the Presidential Commission on Mass Housing (PCMH) as the channel for regular reporting.
Creation of the National Police Task Force
- Section 1 creates the National Police Task Force on Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters, referred to as the “Task Force.”
- Section 1 mandates the Task Force to vigorously pursue the apprehension and prosecution of professional squatters and squatting syndicates nationwide.
- Section 1 provides that the Task Force is chaired by the Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP).
- Section 1 provides that the Task Force is composed of elements of various law enforcement agencies/entities as the Chairman may identify.
Task Force functions and operational duties
- Section 2 requires the Task Force, in coordination with the National Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters, to initiate identification of:
- professional squatters and squatting syndicates, and
- the names of public officials and/or private individuals or companies abetting or tolerating the acts.
- Section 2 directs the Task Force to conduct surveillance to check and verify initial intelligence information, including:
- identities of suspected professional squatters and squatting syndicates, and
- the names of public officials and/or private individuals abetting or tolerating the acts.
- Section 2 requires close coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office and concerned local government units to:
- gather evidence, and
- testify during court proceedings to ensure speedy prosecution of identified professional squatters and squatting syndicates.
- Section 2 mandates the Task Force to provide police protection to:
- victims of squatter syndicates and professional squatters, including
- the rightful beneficiaries of the government’s housing program,
- who may have been victimized through forms such as collection of exorbitant fees, issuance of fake titles, and sowing disinformation.
- Section 2 requires the Task Force to direct local police chiefs, through PNP regional directors, to extend full support and assistance to the Local Committee Against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters created under Executive Order No. 129, consistent with the intensified drive against squatting syndicates and professional squatters.
- Section 2 requires the Task Force to submit regular reports on its activities and accomplishments to the President through the Presidential Commission on Mass Housing (PCMH).
- Section 2 authorizes the Task Force to perform other functions as directed by the President.
Repeal and effect on inconsistent issuances
- Section 3 provides that all executive orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with Executive Order No. 178 are repealed or modified accordingly.
- Section 4 provides that the Executive Order takes effect immediately.