EDITORIAL

Organized Crimes Threat To National
Security and Economy

Organized　criminal activities　are threats to the economy and national security. It must be dealt with a clear, well-defined and integrated policy, Executive Sec. Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. believes.

In an interview with Strictly Politics on ANC, Ochoa disclosed the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) recently reorganized by　President Benigno Aquino III　under Executive Order No. 46 is envisioned to combine the resources and expertise of various law enforcement agencies designed to craft solid policies and guidelines against organized crimes.

"The seriousness and magnitude of our problems involving organized crimes would need strong and resolute actions," Ochoa who now chairs the PAOCC stressed.

To illustrate the magnitude and economics of criminal activities by organized syndicates, Ochoa revealed the illegal drug trade alone has been estimated to be worth over P300 billion a year, or three times the size of the entire Philippine pharmaceutical industry which is worth around P100 billion.　　

This crime, taken together with carnapping, illegal gambling, kidnap-for-ransom,　human trafficking and smuggling endanger peace and national security, Ochoa pointed out.

"Organized crime　has a huge economic, social, cultural and political impact," cited Ochoa who heads the Cabinet cluster on security, peace and justice. "Organized crime also thrives in part because of the corruption of our political system and society. And it feeds this corruption to perpetuate itself, he added"

The　Executive Secretary　said eliminating these threats require strong policies that are clear and coherent to ensure that the "room for errors in implementing programs and in enforcing the laws become smaller."

"If law enforcement agencies follow these polices, guidelines and targets, they will know how to act accordingly," he explained.

Ochoa outlined the following proposed programs the PAOCC will prioritize:

• Rationalize the anti-crime programs of law enforcement agencies to eliminate redundancy and maximize government resources;

• Establish central base　crime index　to consolidate data on crime and to better assess resources to be allocated;

• Strengthen existing laws like the Anti Money Laundering Act to enable prosecution of organized crime elements;

• Link up, coordinate and share resources with the Anti-Terrorism Council and the　Philippine Center　on Transnational Crime (PCTC), which are under the supervision of the Office of the Executive Secretary;

• Improve prosecution rates;

• Direct the special envoy on transnational crime to step up liaison work and information sharing with other countries;

• Strengthen the Witness Protection program;

• Address the killings of journalists and political activists;　

• Enhance police training on exercises and　proper legal procedures and increase per-formance standards; and

• Link　Metro Manila CCTV systems. 　

　 　　
The secretaries of the Departments of Justice, the Interior and Local Govern-ment, National Defense and　Foreign Affairs composed the PAOCC. The national security adviser, chief of staff of the　Armed Forces of the Philippines, director general of the Philippine National Police, director general of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, director of the　National Bureau of Investigation, and the executive director of the PCTC are also members. /MP