ILOILO City — The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) and the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), in collaboration with various government agencies, formally activated the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Task Force on Monday, March 23.
The task force, launched at the Madia-as Hall in Camp General Martin Teofilo B. Delgado, Fort San Pedro here, is designed to fortify the regional campaign against financial crimes and terrorism financing. The initiative aligns with Department of Justice (DOJ) Memorandum Circular No. 030, which mandates closer inter-agency coordination to combat illicit financial networks nationwide.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Josefino Ligan said the newly formed coalition brings together a powerhouse of law enforcement and intelligence units, including the DOJ – Office of the Regional Prosecutor 6, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 6 (NICA-6), National Bureau of Investigation 6 (NBI-6), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 (PDEA-6), Bureau of Customs 6 (BOC-6), and Securities and Exchange Commission 6 (SEC-6).
The task force, Ligan said, will focus on intelligence-driven operations, financial investigations, and the rigorous prosecution of offenders.
For his part, Major General Michael Samson, commander of the 3ID, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to this “whole-of-government” approach. He emphasized that denying criminal and terrorist groups the financial means to operate is vital for regional peace.
“The activation of this task force marks a significant step in protecting our communities from the threats posed by money laundering and terrorism financing,” Samson said.
He added: “This is not just about law enforcement — it is about safeguarding the future of our nation. Together, we will deny these groups the means to undermine development in Western Visayas.”
Beyond operational crackdowns, the task force will intensify the monitoring of suspicious transactions and strengthen regulatory enforcement to align regional efforts with both national and international standards.
Authorities underscored that money laundering and terrorism financing do not only destabilize the economy but pose direct, serious risks to national security./PN
