Creation of the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG)

January 17, 2006

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 493

PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE INTER-AGENCY LEGAL ACTION GROUP (IALAG) FOR THE COORDINATION OF NATIONAL SECURITY CASES

WHEREAS, acknowledging the need for a more coordinated approach, a legal action group is necessary to strengthen the inter-departmental cooperation in the investigation, prosecution and monitoring of offenses relating to national security; DHSEcI

WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group of the IALAG is envisioned to be the entity to coordinate on-going and future efforts in pursuance of the directives herein contained;

WHEREAS, the initiatives and tasks of the concerned departments and agencies in addressing cases of national security shall at all times be conducted with utmost respect for human rights under the dictates of due process;

WHEREAS, Paragraph 2, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987 grants to the President continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Creation.— There is hereby created the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG),and such other essential subgroups as may be constituted, to provide effective and efficient handling and coordination of the investigative and prosecutorial aspects of the fight against threats to national security.

SECTION 2. Function.— The IALAG shall address specific offenses that constitute threats to national security including but not limited to cases of rebellion, sedition and related offenses. The IALAG shall also address national interest cases that threaten national security.

SECTION 3. Composition.— The IALAG shall be composed of personnel from the following departments and agencies:

a. Office of the National Security Adviser

b. Department of Justice

c. Department of National Defense

d. Department of Interior and Local Government

e. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency

f. Armed Forces of the Philippines

g. Philippine National Police

h. National Bureau of Investigation

i. Such other units as may be tasked by the National Security Adviser.

The ONSA representative shall chair the IALAG.

SECTION 4. Oversight.— The IALAG shall report directly and shall be accountable to the National Intelligence Board (NIB) for its objectives and performance. It may, from time to time, receive instructions from the NIB towards the fulfillment of its goals.

SECTION 5. Cooperation and Assistance.— The concerned departments and agencies shall institute mechanisms and procedures to operationalize the mandate of the IALAG and its sub-groups down to the most basic organizational unit in the provincial and regional levels. The IALAG shall closely supervise and monitor operations. caCSDT

All other government agencies may be called upon or deputized to provide active support and assistance to the IALAG which shall be given priority above other concerns.

SECTION 6. Secretariat.— A permanent Secretariat shall be created under the Office of the National Security Adviser. The ONSA may issue IALAG rules to clarify or to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order.

SECTION 7. Funding.— The initial funding requirement of Fifty Million Pesos (Php 50,000,000.00) for the IALAG shall be sourced from the Office of the President.

SECTION 8. Amendatory/Repealing Clause.— All other executive issuances, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby revoked, amended and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity.— This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 17th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and six.