Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission

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Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission
Seal of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.png
Seal
Agency overview
FormedJuly 7, 1992 (1992-07-07) (as PACC)
July 22, 1998 (1998-07-22) (as PAOCC)
Jurisdiction Philippines
Headquarters Camp Crame, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Agency executive
Parent agency Office of the President of the Philippines
Key document

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is a government agency tasked to combat organized crime in the Philippines.

Contents

History

President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order (EO) No. 3 on July 7, 1992 creating the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PAAC). [1] [2] It was made when the proliferation of kidnapping-for-ransom crime is viewed as a national public concern. Ramos appointed Vice President Joseph Estrada as the inaugural head of the commission. [3]

Estrada, shortly after succeeding Ramos as President, issued EO No. 8 on July 22, 1998 which abolished the PAAC and created the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). Panfilo Lacson was appointed to head both agencies. [2] [4]

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on April 16, 2001, issued EO No. 10 abolishing PAOTCTF. [2] [5] The PAOCC was retained. [5]

The PAOCC underwent another reorganization on June 13, 2011 when EO No. 46 was issued by President Benigno Aquino III. [6]

The PAOCC was granted permission by the courts to seize and close the Baofu POGO compound in Bamban, Tarlac. Raided gang-run internet 'scam farm' in Bamban, north of Manila, the Philippines (53830970217).jpg
The PAOCC was granted permission by the courts to seize and close the Baofu POGO compound in Bamban, Tarlac.

PAOCC tackled the proliferation of illegal operations by Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) or offshore gambling hubs in the 2020s. [7] [8] [9] [10] This led to the full ban of POGOs and the arrest of Bamban mayor Alice Guo. [11]

Executive directors

NameTermRef.
StartEnd
Gilbert CruzJanuary 2023October 2025 [12] [13]
Benjamin Acorda Jr. October 15, 2025incumbent [12]

References

  1. Ramos, Fidel (July 7, 1992). "Executive Order No. 3". The LawPhil Project. Office of the President. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Our History". PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  3. Maragay, Fel; Evangelista, Romie (July 9, 1994). "FVR admits crimes remain a problem". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  4. Estrada, Joseph (July 22, 1998). "Executive Order No. 8". The LawPhil Project. Office of the President. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "GMA retains Erap's anti-crime body". Manila Standard. August 29, 2001. p. 2. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  6. Porcalla, Delon (June 18, 2011). "Ochoa designated as anti-crime commission head". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  7. "POGO hub yields 'torture chamber' in Pasay City". GMA News. October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  8. Villeza, Mark Ernest (June 14, 2024). "PAOCC to ramp up operations vs illegal POGOs". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  9. Salcedo, Mary Joy (September 10, 2025). "101 Chinese in Pogo operations to be deported Sept. 18 — PAOCC". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  10. "PAOCC mas paiigtingin ang kampanya kontra POGO sa ilalim ng bagong batas" [PAOCC will intensify the campaign against POGOs under new law]. ABS-CBN News (in Filipino). October 30, 2025. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  11. Buan, Lian (October 15, 2025). "Cruz out, Acorda in: Marcos revamps anti-organized crime commission". Rappler. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Cabato, Luisa (October 16, 2025). "Acorda takes oath as PAOCC executive director". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  13. Maralit, Kristina (October 22, 2025). "Former anti-crime commission chief moved to DOTR". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 30, 2025.