MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 14, October 09, 1992 ]
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION IN EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE COUNTRY A TASK FORCE TO PROMOTE THE PROMPT AND SPEEDY PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL CASES TO BE KNOWN AS “TASK FORCE KATARUNGAN”
WHEREAS, it has become imperative that the government demonstrate its ability to administer criminal justice and enforce the rule of law;
WHEREAS, it is necessary pending the passage of appropriate legislative and other measures, that the government establish a strong presence in each of the regions through a mechanism that promote the speedy and prompt prosecution of criminal cases;
WHEREAS, the creation of this ad-hoc body can complement the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission;
WHEREAS, under the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has continuing authority to re-organize the Office of the President.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. There is hereby created in each of the administrative regions of the country, a task force to be known as “Task Force Katarungan” (TAFKA) which shall have the primary duty of monitoring the prosecution of criminal cases that it identifies as having gained significance by reason of strong public sentiments, and to coordinate all government efforts in their prosecution before the courts.
Section 2. The TAFKA in every region shall be composed of the following:
a. Department of Justice (DOJ), through its Regional State Prosecutors;
b. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
c. The Philippine National Police (PNP), through the Regional Commander;
d. The Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB);
e. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);
f. Bureau of Customs (BOC);
g. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI);
h. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
i. Narcotics Command (NARCOM);
j. Criminal Investigation Service Command (CISC);
k. Philippine Information Agency (PIA); and
l. A representative from a Non-government Organization (NGO) to be appointed by the Secretary of Justice.
The above-mentioned government agencies shall be represented in the TAFKA by their highest officer in the region or his representative.
Section 3. The Regional TAFKA shall be chaired by the Regional State Prosecutor. In the National Capital Region, the same shall be chaired by the Chief State Prosecutor.
Section 4. To assist the TAFKA in the discharge of its functions, the following Committees shall be constituted within it:
1. Smuggling and Tax Evasion;
2. Illegal Logging;
3. Syndicates and Heinous Crimes;
4. Crimes by Law Enforcers and Public Officers;
5. Dangerous Drugs; and
6. Service of Warrants.
The TAFKA may create additional or reduce the number of Committees as it deems proper.
Section 5. The Committees shall monitor the prosecution of criminal cases and submit a monthly report to the TAFKA of the cases monitored by them, ascertaining the constraints hindering or delaying the prosecution of these cases.
Section 6. The Committee on Smuggling and Tax Evasion shall be composed of representatives from the BIR, EIIB, BOC, NBI, DOJ, and the PNP. It shall monitor the prosecution of violations of the Customs and Tariff Code, the National Internal Revenue Code, and other revenue related laws.
The Committee on Illegal Logging shall be composed of representatives from the DENR, DOJ, DILG and the PNP. It shall monitor the prosecution of violations of the Revised Forestry Code and related laws.
The Committee on Syndicate and Heinous Crimes shall be composed of representatives from the PNP, DOJ, DILG, NBI, DOLE and the Bureau of Immigration (BI). It shall monitor the prosecution of heinous crimes and crimes committed by syndicates.
The Committee on Crimes by Law Enforcers and Public Officers shall be composed of representatives from the NAPOLCOM, DOJ, PNP and the NBI. It shall monitor the prosecution of crimes committed by the officers and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and civilian public officers and employees.
The Committee on Dangerous Drugs shall be composed of representatives from the NBI, DOJ and NARCOM. It shall monitor the prosecution of violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act and related laws.
The Committee on the Service of Warrant shall be composed of representatives of the PNP, DILG, NBI and the DOJ. It shall monitor the implementation of warrants of arrest which have not been served or have returned unserved. All Committees of the TAFKA may seek the assistance of this Committee in the enforcement of the warrants of arrest issued in any of the cases monitored by them.
Section 7. The TAFKA and its Committees shall have the following functions:
a. Monitor the prosecution of the criminal cases which have been identified for monitoring;
b. Pursue inter-agency coordination to expedite the prosecution of said cases;
c. Formulate strategies to promote prompt and speedy prosecution;
d. Conduct consultations and collate proposals relevant to criminal prosecution and to submit the same to the Secretary of Justice;
e. Assist, as circumstances require, the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission in the discharge of its functions relevant to the prosecution of criminal cases in the regions; and
f. Submit a monthly report to the Secretary of Justice, which shall include the identification of the factors which delay the prosecution of the cases monitored by it. It shall likewise submit an annual report to the President through the Secretary of Justice.
Section 8. The Regional TAFKA shall promulgate its own rules regarding the conduct of its meetings; Provided, that the TAFKA shall hold at least one (1) regular plenary meeting a month.
Section 9. The Office of the Regional State Prosecutor shall act as the Secretariat of the Regional TAFKA. For the NCR, the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor shall act as the Secretariat.
Section 10. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 9th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Two.
(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines
By Authority of the President:
(Sgd.) EDELMIRO A. AMANTE
Executive Secretary
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