Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda has signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, positioning the Philippines as one of the first countries to join this global treaty during a convention in Hanoi, Vietnam.
In a message delivered by Aguda, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the Philippines’ honor in being among the first signatories of the Convention.
He highlighted the country’s commitment to strengthening global cooperation against borderless and rapidly evolving cyber threats while championing the principles of trust, accountability, and human rights in the digital age.
“Throughout the negotiations, the Philippines advocated for stronger safeguards to protect children online, greater technical assistance for developing nations, and a balanced approach between effective law enforcement and the protection of human rights and privacy,” the DICT chief said.
The DICT also pledged to strengthen its cyber resilience with initiatives like Oplan Cyberdome, which focuses on proactive defense and quick incident response, and Oplan Paskong Sigurado, aimed at raising public awareness about online scams and cybercrimes during the holiday season.
“This is Digital Bayanihan in action, where nations, institutions, and communities collaborate to secure our shared digital future,” Aguda remarked.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2024, the Convention against Cybercrime is the world’s first comprehensive global treaty aimed at combating crimes committed through information and communications technologies and facilitating the sharing of electronic evidence for serious crimes.
