I.

Inter-Agency Approach
A. What is Inter-agency Coordination?
At its most simple, inter-agency involves two or more agencies deciding to work
together in partnership. It originates in the recognition by these agencies (or by policy makers
at a higher level) that they have a common concern and / or that they are often working with
the same people. It is possible that an agency may not even be aware that other agencies have
the same concern so that they make their contribution without regard to the involvement of
others. But most agencies now appreciate that (for example) when the offender who is under
probation supervision and the drug misuser who attends the clinic are the same person, then
some degree of collaboration and information exchange will help both agencies to do their
work more efficiently and effectively. They may then discover that this same person is
unemployed and perhaps at risk of becoming homeless and at that point they may want to
liaise with accommodation and with employment agencies.
B. Inter-agency Collaboration Models
a. Task Forces
The most common type of collaboration used, which often bring together
numerous jurisdictions to combat a specific problem and are usually short-term oriented
(i.e. disbanded once the task at hand is remedied.

Kinds of Task Force

1. Vertical in Nature
a) National Task Force- they seek to maximize relationships among agencies at
various levels of government. The purpose of many of these collaborations is to
investigate and prosecute various forms of crime that cross-geographic or
criminal justice system boundaries. Most federal-local task forces are within
major cities or urban areas of the country.
b) Multi-jurisdictional Task Force- exist in suburban contexts involve less
frequent interaction with federal authorities and thus are not as evolved in terms
of their operational interactions.
2. Horizontal in Nature
They involve collaborations that link together similarly situated jurisdictions
operating at the same governmental level. Examples of these kinds of task forces are
found throughout the country and center around specific crime problems as well.
They also tend to incorporate other social service or criminal justice agencies, but
they too are generally limited in duration.
b. Partnerships
As described by Rosenbaum, it is “a cooperative relationship between two or
more organizations, to achieve some common goal”. Partnerships are similar to task
forces with a focus on a specific problem for a set amount of time, but tend to incorporate
a broader based approach by bringing together institutional support beyond the police
(e.g. schools, social service agencies, businesses, etc.). Partnerships exist primarily with a
limited number of agencies and sometimes are tied specifically to funding allocations.
Partnerships tend to be voluntary and informal; sometimes with no memorandums of
understanding between the agencies. Partnerships have been marketed as a promising
process for planning, coordinating, and implementing complex and innovative social
interventions. The goals can focus on various outcomes such as mobilizing the
community, prevention of crime, neighborhood security groups, or improvement of social
services and often have a direct link into community policing objectives.
c. Law Enforcement Council
It involves multi-jurisdictional collaborations based on mutual aid agreements.
LECs allow for the development of comprehensive strategies and resource deployment
 on a regional basis, and act as an aid for localities for incidents that go beyond their
capability in scope (e.g. may not have the specialized skill set locally) or duration (e.g.
incident spans several days). As an umbrella organization, LECs are often comprised of a
number of municipal police departments and county law enforcement agencies within a
localized region. This type of collaborative effort is thought to be an efficient and
effective way of coping with the insufficiencies individual agencies suffer from in terms
of financial resources and personnel shortages.
While individual agencies may each lack the tools and expertise to properly
contend with certain types of incidents and activities, a LEC, as a consortium, can utilize
the resources of the participant communities as well as employing state and federal
organizations in an effort to prevent and prepare for threats to their citizens. In essence,
an officer working for an agency that participates in a LEC works full-time for his/her
own department and part-time for the LEC. For example, an officer assigned to patrol
duties in one department will continue in this role on an everyday basis, but may also
train and be part of the LEC Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit along with
officers from other surrounding towns. When an incident occurs that requires activation
of the LEC SWAT Unit, the officer will be relieved of his/her patrol duties and will
respond to the town where the emergency exists to work with other specially trained
officers.
d. Data Sharing Networks
This collaborative design is the use of an information-sharing network as a means
to gather and distribute mutually beneficial intelligence to multiple agencies. The ability
to tap into more than one database in search of information for investigative purposes is
the main objective of data sharing networks. These types of collaborations do not include
a true coordinating of police activities, but rather an agreement to share data as well as
delineating the what, when, who, and how of sharing their data.
C. Police Departments as collaborators in Multi-Agency Initiatives
The following cases show the importance of collaboration to different agencies:
1. Collaboration with Public Health Agencies
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) contracted with the CDC to help
address concerns about high mortality rates associated with use of choke holds by LAPD
officers, especially on black suspects. The study conducted by the CDC and the Los
Angeles Police Department found that persons with sickle cell anemia (almost
exclusively black suspects) who were under the influence of illegal drugs were at greater
risk of death if a control hold was applied. The collaboration between the CDC and the
LAPD resulted in the department’s decision to abandon the use of control holds as a
restraint technique. It can also be said that the CDC finding also informed the public and
surrounding police departments—who also changed their practices.
2. Collaboration with community initiatives
In May 2003, the Minneapolis Police Department developed a downtown
security collaborative with community businesses and private security officers. The
guiding force behind this collaborative was a recognized need for the city to reduce crime
and make downtown safer for citizens. There was a recognized need for the Minneapolis
Police Department to work more closely with private security firms, especially during the
arrest stage of shoplifters. Suffice to say, the collaborative required that the Minneapolis
Police monitor the radio transmissions of private security companies in downtown
Minneapolis. The collaborative also required initiatives, ranging from public police
training of private security officers on incident report writing and suspect detention
(including the complexities of citizen’s arrest) to weekly meetings of the collaborative to
share and exchange crime fighting information and strategies. As a result of the
 collaborative, preliminary research has revealed a sharp decline in both property and
personal crimes (see Gerold, 2006).

D. Organizational Partnerships

1. Crime Prevention partnership

Crime prevention partnerships seek to build relationships among different entities in
an effort to reduce crime in local areas. These partnerships might bring together religious
representatives (e.g., church, mosque, and synagogue leadership), community
representatives, and police to respond to community violence and other, similar
problems. The local gang initiative in the study site is an example of this type of
collaboration to reduce violence and gang activity.

2. Substance abuse response

Substance abuse response coalitions might include members of local religious
communities, community representatives, substance abuse treatment providers, and
behavioral health treatment providers to address concerns about prevalent substance
abuse challenges in the local community.

3. Domestic violence response

Domestic violence coalitions often involve a wide array of local service providers,
nonprofit organizations, and public criminal justice agencies in an effort to address the
challenges faced by domestic violence survivors.

4. Community policing
It involves an organizational partnership linking the police agency, local
community organizations, and the community at large. The goal of these partnerships is
to identify and prioritize social problems affecting the local community and collaborate to
develop successful solutions.

II. Different Inter-Agency Coordination of Philippine Law Enforcement

A. Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking
 Composition
Chairperson
- Secretary of the Department of Justice
Co-Chairperson
- Secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development
Members:
- Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs
- Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment;
- Administrator, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration;
- Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration;
- Director-General, Philippine National Police;
- Chairperson, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women
- Three (3) representatives from NGOs, who shall be composed of one (1)
representative each from among the sectors representing women, overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs) and children, with a proven record of involvement in the prevention
and suppression of trafficking in persons. These representatives shall be nominated
by the government agency representatives of the Council, for appointment by the
President for a term of three (3) years.
 The members of the Council may designate their permanent representatives who
shall have a rank not lower than an assistant secretary or its equivalent to meetings, and
shall receive emoluments as may be determined by the Council in accordance with
existing budget and accounting, rules and regulations.

 Functions of the Council- the Council shall have the following powers and functions
- Formulate a comprehensive and integrated program to prevent and suppress the
trafficking in persons.
- Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.
- Monitor and oversee the strict implementation of this Act.
- Coordinate the programs and projects of the various member agencies to effectively
address the issues and problems attendant to trafficking in persons.
- Coordinate the conduct of massive information dissemination and campaign on the
existence of the law and the various issues and problems attendant to trafficking
through the LGUs, concerned agencies, and NGOs.
- Direct other agencies to immediately respond to the problems brought to their
attention and report to the Council on action taken.
- Assist in filing of cases against individuals, agencies, institutions or establishments
that violate the provisions of this Act.
- Formulate a program for the reintegration of trafficked persons in cooperation with
DOLE, DSWD, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), LGUs and NGOs.
- Secure from any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the
government or from NGOs and other civic organizations such assistance as may be
needed to effectively implement this Act.
- Complement the shared government information system for migration established
under Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the "Migrant Workers and
Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995" with data on cases of trafficking in persons, and
ensure that the proper agencies conduct a continuing research and study on the
patterns and scheme of trafficking in persons which shall form the basis for policy
formulation and program direction.
- Develop the mechanism to ensure the timely, coordinated, and effective response to
cases of trafficking in persons.
- Recommend measures to enhance cooperative efforts and mutual assistance among
foreign countries through bilateral and/or multilateral arrangements to prevent and
suppress international trafficking in persons.
- Coordinate with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC),
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other NGOs in monitoring the
promotion of advertisement of trafficking in the internetAdopt measures and policies
to protect the rights and needs of trafficked persons who are foreign nationals in the
Philippines.
- Initiate training programs in identifying and providing the necessary intervention or
assistance to trafficked persons.
- Exercise all the powers and perform such other functions necessary to attain the
purposes and objectives of this Act.

B. Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs (ICAD) (Executive Order No. 15)

 Composition
Chairperson:
 - Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
Members:
- Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)
- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Education (DepEd)
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
- Department of Agriculture (DA)
- Department of National Defense (DND)
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
- Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
- Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)
- Office of the Solicitor General (OSG)
- Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
- Bureau of Customs (BOC)
- Bureau of Immigration (BI)
- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
- Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC)
The PDEA, as Chairperson of the ICAD, shall have the overall responsibility to
ensure that the objectives of the ICAD and the cluster herein created are accomplished.
The member agencies shall designate a permanent representative to the ICAD
with the rank of Undersecretary or Assistant Secretary, or their equivalent.
The ICAD may invite other government agencies and instrumentalities to be a
member of the ICAD as it may deem necessary.

 Functions of the ICAD

The ICAD shall ensure that each member agency shall implement and comply with all
policies, laws and issuances pertaining to the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign, in an
integrated and synchronized manner. It shall have the following specific functions:
a) Ensure the effective conduct of anti-illegal drug operations and arrest of high-value drug
personalities down to the street-level peddlers and users.
b) Spearhead and coordinate the implementation of the National-Drug Plan of Action
(NADPA) 2015-2020.
c) Ensure comprehensive implementation of the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program.
d) Ensure intensive conduct of advocacy campaign initiatives.
e) Ensure that the roles and responsibilities of the member agencies are efficiently and
effectively carried out.
f) Cleanse the bureaucracy of unscrupulous personnel involved in illegal drug activities.
g) Ensure that the anti-illegal drug objectives of the government are achieved.

The ICAD shall enlist the assistance of concerned public and private agencies, including
local government units to assist in the implementation of the government’s anti-illegal drug
campaign.
The ICAD shall also seek the assistance of the Office of the Ombudsman, pursuant to its
mandate, in the investigation and prosecution of public officials involved in illegal drug
activities.
 Cluster of ICAD
a) Enforcement Cluster
The enforcement cluster shall conduct anti-illegal drug operations with the
support of other law enforcement agencies through the PDEA and the National Anti-Drug
Task Force including the conduct of investigation against drug syndicates, financier and
other target personalities.
The PDEA and the Task Force may seek assistance of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, the PCG, PCTC and all other agencies, subject to applicable laws, rules and
regulation, in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations. When called upon by the ICAD
chairperson for assistance, the concerned agency shall provide the required personnel and
other resources to ensure the accomplishment of the objectives of this Order and the
success of the anti-illegal drug drive of the government.

b) Justice Cluster
The justice cluster shall be the primarily responsible for the expeditious
prosecution of all drug cases, the provision of legal assistance to law enforcers, and
ensuring the availability of public attorneys for the protection of individual rights, such as
in instances of voluntary surrenders and warrantless arrest during anti-illegal drug
operations.

c) Advocacy Cluster
The advocacy cluster shall conduct a nationwide advocacy campaign for the
government’s anti-illegal drug policy and all implementing programs.

d) Rehabilitation and Reintegration Cluster

This cluster shall implement drug rehabilitation programs and ensure the
reintegration of former drug dependents and other drug personalities as useful members
of society.

The ICAD may form additional cluster or consolidate existing ones, as it may deem
necessary for the effective implementation of this order.
In accordance with the mandate of the DDB under RA 9165 as the policy-making and
strategy-formulating body in the planning and formulation of policies and programs on drug
prevention and control, the DDB shall be included as a member of all the cluster of the
ICAD.

 National Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force

The ICAD Chairperson shall establish and activate a National Anti-Illegal Drug Task
Force which shall undertake sustained anti-illegal drug operations. All anti-drug operations of
the Task Force will be closely coordinated with PDEA. The Task Force shall be composed of
members of the law enforcement agencies, including members of the institution called upon
assistance by virtue of this Order. The President shall designate the National Anti-Illegal Drug
Task Force Head/Commander, who shall be a senior law enforcement officer and shall report
directly to the PDEA Director General. The Task Force Commander shall be responsible for
the overall operation of the Task Force.

 Reporting, Monitoring and Coordinating Instruction

In order to properly monitor progress of work of the ICAD, the PDEA shall conduct a
regular conference with the members of the ICAD to monitor and evaluate each Cluster’s
performance and accomplishments.
 All members of ICAD shall each submit a periodic report to their respective Cluster
Heads. The Cluster Heads shall submit a consolidated cluster report to the ICAD Chairperson,
copy furnished the DDB. The ICAD Chairperson shall consolidate all the reports for
submission to the office of the President.

C. Inter-Agency Committee on Legal Action (IACOLA)

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines signed a joint
resolution on the creation of the Inter-Agency Committee on Legal Action (IACOLA) on October
9, 2017.
The resolution aims to strengthen the intelligence gathering and cooperation,
investigation, prosecution and monitoring of cases against threat groups through IACOLA by
establishing stronger coordination of ongoing and future efforts of the government in addressing
these cases.

III. PNP in an Active support role on Internal Security Operations (Executive order No. 546
series of 2006)
 General Mandate
The PNP is mandated to provide active support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) in Internal Security Operations (ISO) for the suppression of the Communist Terrorist
Movement (CTM) and other serious threats to national security.(Executive Order No. 546
series of 2006 “Directing the Philippine National Police to Undertake Active Support to the
Armed Forces of the Philippines in Internal Security Operations for the Suppression of
Insurgency and Other Serious Threats to National Security, Amending Certain Provisions of
Executive Order No. 110 series of 1999 and for Other Purposes”)
 The PNP in an Active Support Role
The PNP shall perform the following:
- Conduct sustained law enforcement actions against CTM atrocities.
- In urban areas, the PNP may assume the lead role in ISO against the CTM, other threat
groups and organized crime groups engaged in armed offensives.
- The PNP units may either operate as a single force or as a part of joint PNP-AFP combat
operations. In both cases, lateral coordination is a must.
- The PNP units in CTM-affected areas may be placed under Operational Control (OPCON)
of AFP units but shall continue to perform law enforcement functions.
- Specific areas where armed confrontations such as encounter, ambush, raid, liquidation
and other similar atrocities occur between government forces (PNP or AFP) and the
Communist Terrorists (CTs) shall be treated as a crime scene. The police unit that has
jurisdiction over the areas shall conduct the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI).
 Defensive Position
Police Stations, especially those located in far-fl ung areas, are priority targets of
attacks. As such, security measures against CT atrocities must be undertaken as follows:
- Continuously remind all PNP personnel to be extra vigilant and security conscious in
their day-to-day activities and during troop movements.
- Duty station guards shall memorize, internalize and put into practice the 11 General
Orders of a Duty Guard. Likewise, they shall always carry their issued long fi rearms
and ammunition rig/bandoliers with basic load.
- Vigorously implement added security measures in all Police Stations and Police
Community Precincts.
- Conduct sustained inspection of the operational readiness of PNP field units/stations.
 - Always keep in mind the modus operandi, strategies and tactics being practiced/
employed by the CTM and other threat groups.
- Enhance the establishment of Advance Security Control Points (ASCPs) to control
the ingress and egress of people in Police Stations.
- One of the strategies and tactics employed by CTM and other threats groups to gain
access to police stations is by wearing of PNP/AFP uniforms and that of other LEAs,
hence, personnel assigned in the advance security control points shall not allow entry
of uniformed groups or any individuals without prior coordination.
a. Exercise sustained vigilance and maintenance of law, order and public safety in
respective AOR through the intensified conduct of police visibility patrols.
b. Carry out Police Community Relation (PCR)/ Barangay Peacekeeping Operations
(BPO) activities in areas that are prone to influence, infiltration and infestation of
CTM fronts organization.

IV. Police Assistance in the implementation of final decisions or orders or resolutions of

COMELEC or DILG or Local Government unit exercising disciplinary powers in
administrative cases of elected officials
A. Requirements for the Request for Police Assistance
The police assistance shall only be granted upon the written request of COMELEC or
DILG, accompanied with the original or authenticated copy of the final decision or order or
resolution to be implemented
B. Period To Render Police Assistance
If the request for police assistance satisfies all the requirements and the clearance to
render police assistance is approved by the C, PNP the police assistance requested shall be
rendered within three (3) working days from receipt of the directive from the C, PNP or for a
longer period when required by the circumstances.
C. Extent of Police Assistance
The Special Task Group Commander tasked to render police assistance shall have the
discretion to employ sufficient number of PNP uniformed personnel after taking into
consideration the scope of the resistance to be encountered, if there is any, and the general peace
and order condition in the area. Unless a higher ranking Officer is necessary and more PNP
personnel are required, the police team that will render police assistance should be led by a Police
Commissioned Officer (PCO) with the rank of Police Senior Inspector. All members of the
Special Task Group shall be in prescribed uniform when rendering police assistance.
D. Role of PNP Personnel Rendering Police Assistance
The role of the PNP when rendering police assistance shall be limited to the maintenance
of peace and order, crowd control, and the security of the duly authorized officer of the
COMELEC, DILG or the Local Government Unit implementing the decision/order/resolution. In
no case shall PNP members participate in the implementation of the decision/order/resolution
which shall be undertaken by the duly authorized officer of the COMELEC or DILG or the Local
Government Unit concerned.
In performing their role, the PNP personnel shall at all times observe maximum tolerance
and respect for human rights. The use of reasonable force shall only be resorted to for self-
defense and defense of strangers. Moreover, the PNP personnel shall always exercise utmost
impartiality and neutrality in effecting its role.
The duly authorized officer of the COMELEC or DILG or the Local Government Unit
personally leading the implementation of the said decision/order/resolution shall have the final
disposition whether to proceed or not with the implementation of the decision/order/resolution.

V. Police assistance in the implementation of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program

(CARP).
 Requirements in the Granting of Police Assistance
a) Police assistance in the implementation of final orders, decisions, resolutions or
CLOAs issued DAR shall be rendered only upon a written request submitted by the
Agrarian Reform Officer or any authorized Officer of DAR, accompanied with the
original or authenticated copy of the final decision, order or CLOA to be
implemented. The request and its attachments, regardless of the place of execution,
shall be submitted to the Office of the Chief, PNP for his approval.
b) Police assistance during the conduct of preliminary agrarian activities as provided in
Rule 30.1b shall be rendered only upon a written request submitted by the Agrarian
Reform Officer or any authorized Officer of DAR, accompanied with the original or
authenticated copy of the Order issued for the activity (if applicable). The request
shall be submitted to the Office of the Regional Director of the Police Regional Office
having jurisdiction over the area of execution for his approval.
 When to Render Police Assistance
Police assistance in the implementation of CARP shall be provided only as
requested by DAR. In no case shall the PNP act on its own without the request and/or
representative from DAR to prevent extending police assistance in cases where same is
not necessary.
 Extent of Police Assistance
The head of office or unit tasked to render police assistance shall have the
discretion to employ sufficient number of PNP uniformed personnel after taking into
consideration the scope of the resistance to be encountered, if there is any, and the
general peace and order condition in the area. Unless a higher ranking Officer is
necessary and more PNP personnel are required, the police team that will render police
assistance should be led by a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO) with the rank of Police
Senior Inspector. All members of the team shall be in prescribed uniform when rendering
police assistance.
 Role of PNP Personnel Rendering Police Assistance
The PNP personnel shall observe maximum tolerance and respect for individual
rights at all times. The use of reasonable force shall only be resorted to for self-defense
and defense of strangers. Moreover, the PNP personnel shall always exercise utmost
impartiality and neutrality in effecting its role.
The role of the PNP when rendering police assistance shall be limited to the
maintenance of peace and order, crowd control, and the security of the duly authorized
officer of the DAR. In no case shall PNP members participate in the implementation of
the decision/order/resolution or in the conduct of any of the preliminary agrarian
activities, which shall be undertaken by the duly authorized officer of the DAR.
The duly authorized officer of the DAR leading the implementation of the
decision/order/resolution/CLOA or leading the conduct of the preliminary agrarian
activity shall have the final disposition whether to proceed or not with the
implementation of the decision/order/resolution/CLOA or conduct of the activity.
 When Entry to the Property is Refused by the landowner
When the DAR personnel are refused admittance into the property, the PNP
personnel cannot encroach on the property without an order from the DAR specifically
for the purpose. In the implementation of final orders or in the conduct of preliminary
agrarian activities, the authority to break into the property or into a building shall be
specifically provided in the order or resolution or in the request for police assistance. The
authority to break out to liberate themselves shall also be specifically provided.
VI. Police assistance in the Implementation of decisions/orders of the court, quasi-judicial or
administrative bodies that are immediately executory.
 Where to File
Decisions/Orders issued by the court, quasi-judicial or administrative bodies that
are immediately executory shall be submitted to the Regional Director (RD) of the Police
Regional Office (PRO) having jurisdiction of the place where the decision/order shall be
implemented. Given the urgency of the matter, the RD, PRO shall be the approving
authority. The request for police assistance, however, shall only be acted, upon the
submission of the written request of the Sheriff or equivalent officer in quasi-judicial or
administrative bodies, accompanied by the original or authenticated copy of the
decision/order/writ sought to be implemented.
 Role of PNP Personnel Rendering Police Assistance
PNP personnel shall observe maximum tolerance and respect for individual rights
at all times. Dialogue with those who may be affected by the implementation of the
decision/ order/resolution is encouraged to prevent violence, and the assistance of local
public officials, when warranted, should be requested. However, the Sheriff or the
equivalent officer of quasi-judicial or administrative bodies shall have the final
disposition whether to proceed with the implementation of the decision/order/resolution
or not. The use of reasonable force shall only be resorted to for self-defense and defense
of strangers