EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 509, March 15, 2006

REORGANIZING THE TASK FORCE ON ANTI-SMUGGLING

WHEREAS, the elimination of smuggling and other acts contrary to customs laws remains among the top priorities of the government as such acts deprive the government of much-needed revenues and unfairly compete with legitimate businesses;

WHEREAS, the utilization of government resources in its campaign against smuggling needs to be optimized;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 385 (s. 2004) created a Task Force on Anti-Smuggling to combat large scale smuggling;

WHEREAS, the Administrative Code of 1987 provides that the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the President and to transfer functions from one department or agency to another;

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. The Commissioner of Customs is hereby designated Head of the Task Force on Anti-Smuggling, with the following as Members:

Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines

Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)

Director, National Bureau of Investigation

Chief State Prosecutor, National Prosecution Service

Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard

General Manager; Philippine Ports Authority

Director General, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency

Chief, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the PNP

Section 2. All executive issuances or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 15th day of March, in the year of the Our Lord, Two Thousand ansd Six.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITAExecutive Secretary