TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — In response to the increasing number of cybercrime incidents, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Eastern Visayas is set to open a Cybercrime Office to address the surge in online-related complaints across the region.
During the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum, NBI Regional Director Atty. Emeterio Dongallo Jr. highlighted the growing volume of cybercrime complaints, emphasizing the need to expedite the resolution of cases. He pointed out that the current setup requires modernization to keep up with the escalating cyber threats.
Under Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, both the NBI and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are tasked with enforcing cybercrime laws, including the creation of specialized units to handle such cases.
Though Director Dongallo did not disclose the exact number of cases, he identified the most prevalent cybercrimes in the region, including online libel, online scams, violations of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, identity theft, online threats, unjust vexation, sextortion, and ATM and credit card fraud.
The establishment of the Cybercrime Office is part of the NBI’s broader modernization efforts, which also include plans for a new office building in Tacloban City and the renovation of its current facility. The bureau is also upgrading its equipment to bolster its fight against cybercrime.
Aside from infrastructure improvements, the NBI is actively conducting information campaigns on social media, offering seminars, and providing training on emerging technologies to better equip the public and law enforcement against cyber threats.
Furthermore, the NBI is closely monitoring social media platforms for potential cybercrime activities. The Cyber Investigation and Assessment Center, established under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, will serve as the primary hub for cybercrime-related data, including investigations into computer intrusions and threats. | (PIA VIII)
