[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 245, October 24, 1991 ]

CONSTITUTING AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE TO MONITOR AND COORDINATE THE ARREST AND INVESTIGATION OF KIDNAPPERS AND PROSECUTION OF KIDNAPPING CASES IN METRO MANILA AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY



WHEREAS, the spate of kidnapping cases has alarmed the general public;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to focus and coordinate government attention and efforts for the immediate apprehension and prosecution of the people or syndicates involve in the kidnappings;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. There is hereby constituted an Inter-agency Task Force to monitor and coordinate the arrest, investigation and prosecution of kidnapping cases committed in Metro Manila and throughout the country, composed of the following:
The Secretary of Justice - Chairman The Director-General, Philippine National Police - Member The Chief State Prosecutor, National Prosecution Service - Member The Director, National Bureau of Investigation - Member
SEC. 2. The Inter-agency Task Force shall ensure the effective investigation and successful prosecution of offenders in kidnapping cases as well as to provide necessary protection for the victims and witnesses.

SEC. 3. The Inter-agency Task Force should see to it that kidnapping cases are resolved within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the complaint thereon.

SEC. 4. The Inter-Agency Task Force shall meet and submit a weekly report on its operations, progress report on the investigations conducted, and its accomplishments to the President of the Philippines.

SEC. 5. The Department of Justice should establish a Secretariat for the technical and staff support of the Inter-agency Task Force.

SEC. 6. The Secretary of Budget and Management is hereby authorized to immediately release FIVE MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00) for the implementation of the Witness Protection Act (R.A. No. 6981), subject to the usual accounting and auditing requirements.

SEC. 7. The Secretary of Justice shall issue rules and regulations to implement this Administrative Order.

SEC. 8. This Administrative Order shall take effect imme diately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
Executive Secretary