PNP backs PBBM’s order to craft anti-dirty money strategy

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

FULL SUPPORT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. swears in Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the new chief of the Philippine National Police during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Jan. 28, 2026. Nartatez on Friday (Feb. 20) said the PNP is “fully committed” to Marcos’ directive to government agencies to develop a national strategy to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday expressed full support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push against financial crimes, following his directive to government agencies to develop a national strategy to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

“The Philippine National Police is fully committed to President Marcos’ directive,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“We are ready to integrate our investigative powers with AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) in running after organized crime groups and syndicates, especially those involved in illegal drugs, smuggling and cybercrimes.”

Marcos, through Memorandum Circular 113, has directed government agencies to support the drafting of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism/Proliferation Financing Strategy for 2026–2030.

The order tasks the AMLC to provide technical and administrative support, issue timelines, and monitor compliance of concerned government agencies and instrumentalities in drafting the strategy.

Nartatez said the PNP will enhance inter-agency cooperation, share data, and participate in joint operations to strengthen the national effort.

The PNP is also upgrading its digital infrastructure, technologies and data analytics tools for detecting suspicious financial transactions, including cross-border alerts.

Meanwhile, officers of the Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, as well as concerned units, are undergoing specialized trainings in financial forensics, money laundering trends and emerging financial crimes.

Nartatez also said high-risk sectors such as real estate, casinos, and import/export businesses, will be closely monitored while international cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies will be strengthened to track illicit funds entering or leaving the Philippines.