Creation and Organizational Structure
- Establishment of a Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and a Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force under the Office of the President
- Task Force composition includes selected members from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and others
- Leadership headed by a qualified senior law enforcement officer appointed by the President
- Support structure includes Deputy Chiefs for Operations and Administration and functional divisions: Administrative/Logistics, Operations, Technical, Legal and Investigation
Powers and Functions of the Task Force
- Implement a fast-track anti-crime and anti-graft action agenda
- Conduct intelligence and counter-intelligence to identify government officials and criminal syndicates involved in crime
- Direct arrest, investigation, and prosecution as per constitutional process
- Refer cases to the Department of Justice or other agencies as necessary
- Monitor progress of investigations and prosecutions handled by the Task Force
- Propose legislation and anti-crime issuances
- Recruit personnel from PNP, AFP, and law enforcement agencies, with agency consent
- Enlist assistance from all government entities including government-owned or controlled corporations
- Offer monetary rewards to informants subject to existing laws
- Coordinate with the Department of Justice for witness protection under Republic Act No. 6981
- Authorized access to documents and facilities with Presidential approval
- Recruit civilian personnel for intelligence gathering
Scope of Crimes Covered
- Crimes committed by organized/syndicated groups such as gunrunning, illegal logging, kidnapping, white slavery, illegal recruitment, carnapping, smuggling, piracy, drug trafficking, falsification of documents, swindling, piracy, counterfeiting, and bank fraud
- Heinous crimes defined under Republic Act No. 7659
- Crimes committed by PNP or AFP members
- Crimes committed by government officials and employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations
- Additional offenses as may be determined by the President
- Definition of organized/syndicated crime groups as two or more persons collaborating in crime with possible government protection
Composition and Role of the Commission
- Commission headed by the President as Chairperson
- Members include Secretary of Justice, National Security Adviser, Undersecretary of Interior and Local Government, Chief of Staff of AFP, Philippine National Police Director-General, and four private sector representatives appointed by the President
- Exercise general control and supervision over the Task Force
- Engage civic and societal sectors for continuous consultation
- Recommend policies to the President in the form of issuances and legislation
Assistance from Government Agencies
- Collaboration with numerous government agencies, including but not limited to PNP, NBI, DOJ, BID, BIR, EIIB, BOC, NICA, AFP, LTO, FMB, NTC, NCSO, LRA, POEA
- Empower the Task Force to seek assistance and utilize personnel, facilities, and resources from these agencies to fulfill the mandate
Command and Control Structure
- Task Force Chief reports directly to the President
- Force Chief exercises immediate supervision over all Task Force units and personnel
- Personnel from PNP, AFP, DOJ, and other agencies attached to the Force Chief retain operational oversight
Funding Provisions
- Initial allocation of ₱120,000,000 from the President’s Contingency Fund and government savings
- Subsequent funding incorporated in the Office of the President's budget proposals
- Commission funding initially from constituent agencies with future appropriations in the Office of the President's budget
Dissolution of Previous Agencies
- Immediate dissolution and deactivation of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) and Presidential Task Force on Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence (PTFICI)
- Transfer of all properties and equipment to the new Task Force
Operating Guidelines and Reporting
- Task Force to adopt operational guidelines in coordination with law enforcement agencies subject to Presidential approval
- Regular reporting to the President through the Commission, including recommendations for policy or legislative action
Coordination Instructions and Relationship with PNP
- Reinforce intensified focus against organized/syndicated and heinous crimes by the Task Force
- Affirm PNP's role as the primary general law enforcement agency per Republic Act No. 6875 as amended
- Mandate close coordination and cooperation between Task Force Chief, PNP Chief, and other law enforcement heads
- Encourage vertical and lateral coordination among units while ensuring operational security
Effectivity
- Immediate effectivity upon issuance on July 22, 1998
This comprehensive framework establishes a centralized and empowered Presidential Task Force dedicated to combating organized and syndicated crime through coordinated intelligence, prosecution, and interagency cooperation under direct Presidential supervision.