GMA strengthens NICA for anti-terror drive

In a bid to strengthen the country’s capability to thwart terrorist plots and other security threats, President Arroyo recently designated the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) as the chief body that will direct, coordinate and integrate all government activities involving national intelligence.

The Chief Executive recently signed Administrative Order 68, dated last April 8, a copy of which was obtained yesterday by The STAR.

"Owing to challenges posed by terrorism, there is a need to streamline the intelligence community to make it responsive to the new environment," she said in the order.

Mrs. Arroyo pointed out that "for purposes of providing timely, relevant, and useful intelligence for the use of various government agencies, there is a need to properly coordinate, direct and integrate the national intelligence gathering activities of the government at all levels."

As the lead intelligence collection agency of the national government, NICA will operate directly under the Office of the President, and is accountable to the President, according to AO 68.

"The NICA shall have principal authority to direct, coordinate and integrate all government activities involving national intelligence and continue to serve as the focal point for the preparation of intelligence estimates of local and foreign situations for the formulation of national policies by the President," AO 68 said.

NICA director-general Cesar Garcia Jr. shall also serve as the President’s principal adviser on intelligence.

"He (Garcia) shall undertake measures to streamline and strengthen the intelligence community in general and the agency in particular in addressing broader national intelligence concerns, including but not limited to counter-intelligence concerns, foreign intelligence and economic intelligence," the President said.