Section 18Sec./Art. 18

Field Officers. All officials, technical personnel and forest guards employed in the integrated protected area service or all persons deputized by the DENR, upon recommendation of the Management Board shall be considered as field officers and shall have the authority to investigate and search premises and buildings and make arrests in accordance with the rules on criminal procedure for the violation of laws and regulations relating to the protected areas. Persons arrested shall be brought to the nearest police precinct for investigation.

Nothing herein mentioned shall be construed as preventing regular law enforcers and police officers from arresting any person in the act of violating said laws and regulations.