In Executive Order No. 35, the President transferred the supervision of the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC) from the Department of Interior and Local Government to the Office of the President.

The PCTC, created in 1999, isassigned to craft and implement a concerted program of action of all law enforcement and intelligence agencies, in coordination with other government agencies, for the prevention and control oftransnational crime.

The anti-crime center used to be attached to the OP until 2008 when it was transferred under the wing of the DILG.

Aquino, in EO 35, emphasized there was a need to improve the coordination among government agencies for a “whole of government approach towards a more efficient, coordinated, collaborative, and synergized effort against organized transnational criminal activity.”

It was also imperative to link national efforts with international agencies and institutions directly involved in the global campaign against transnational crime, said the President.

“In order to ensure the effective implementation of government efforts at combating transnational crimes, there is an urgent need to return to the Office of the President the direct control and supervision over PCTC,” the order read.

EO 35, signed last April 11, will take effect upon publication in a national newspaper.

The latest presidential directive was issued amid government intensified efforts to combat transnational crimes such as illegal drug trade, terrorism, and trafficking of persons.

Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin