Section 18Sec./Art. 18

Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group. - To assist the Council, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group, herein referred to as the Enforcement Group, is hereby created. It shall be composed of the following agencies:

(a) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI);

(b) Philippine National Police (PNP);

(c) Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); and

(d) Department of Finance (DOF).

The Enforcement Group, in addition to each agency's existing regulatory powers, shall have the following power and functions:

(a) Subject to the Rules of Engagement of the Enforcement Group, notify the Council of any visitation or inspection that it will conduct on any establishment and secure the necessary LOA;

(b) Subject to the Rules of Engagement of the Enforcement Group, notify the Council of any court-approved warrant to search seizure, or arrest for any violation of this Act or existing regulations;

(c) Visit and inspect at any time, vessels, vehicle, aircraft, land, enclosure, warehouses, cold storages, store, building, or structure not principally used as dwelling house and other storage areas where agricultural and fishery products and properties are stored, kept, or sold, as authorized by the Council through a duly issued LOA, to determine compliance with this Act and other relevant laws relating to the transport, storage, distribution, or sale of said agricultural and fishery products: Provided, That when a security personnel or any other employee lives in the warehouse, store or any building, structure, or enclosure that is used for storage of goods, it shall not be considered as a dwelling house for purposes of this Act;

(d) Immediately perform any and all acts pursuant to the implementation of this Act or existing laws and regulations, including, among other, taking into constructive custody agricultural and fishery products;

(e) Render a report to the Council within forty-eight (48) hours from the conduct of a visitation or inspection or service of judicial warrant;

(f) Apply for judicial warrant before the Court of tax Appeals: Provided, That in areas outside Luzon, judicial warrants shall be applied before any regional trial court; and

(g) Effect search, seizure, and arrest warrants and file criminal and administrative cases before the prosecutor and appropriate agencies.

The PNP Chief, and the Secretaries of the DOF and the DOJ may authorize lawyers of their respective agencies or their attached agencies to provide legal assistance to any employee or member of the Enforcement Group who is facing a complaint or charge before the prosecutor's office, the court, or any competent body, arising from an incident related to the performance by the member or employee of his or her official duties under this Act: Provided, That government lawyers so authorized shall have the power to administer oaths: Provided, further, That when necessary, a private counsel may be provided at the expense of the Government. The Secretaries of the DOF and the DOJ, and the PNP Chief shall jointly promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

CHAPTER VII

ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURES