THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has reported that the incidence of online criminality declined by 40 percent last month, attributed to the creation of its Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).
Meanwhile, police arrested 12 people suspected of involvement in illegal online gaming operations an exclusive Parañaque City subdivision ending a month-long surveillance, according to the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
In a statement, ACG chief Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia said 624 cases were logged last month, representing a 40-percent drop compared to 1,045 cases in January last year.
Hernia cited the ongoing establishment of PNP ACG offices in the regions, provinces and districts, complemented with efforts to set up cybercrime desks within police stations, as highly effectively in stamping out cybercrimes.
To further strengthen the anti-cybercrime drive, Hernia said the PNP would continue holding comprehensive training, seminars and lectures for personnel assigned to cybercrime desks to “sharpen their skills and deepen their expertise, ultimately contributing to the creation of a safer online environment for everyone.” Vince Lopez
The ACG chief also said the cooperation of complainants and the effectiveness of law enforcement operations send a strong message to cybercrime community.
“As they witnessed their peers being brought to justice and their operations disrupted, they were compelled to reconsider their actions, ultimately leading to a significant decline in illegal online activities,” Hernia noted.
He also advised netizens to be vigilant in their online activities.
“It is imperative that we continually educate ourselves to safeguard against falling victim to online scams,” he said.
In a command conference on Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the police force to improve its prevention, detection and investigation of cases to combat cybercrimes amid the current sophisticated and technology-based crime modalities.
The PNP has proposed the creation of a Cybersecurity Center for the monitoring, detection, protection, and quick response to cybersecurity issues and incidents in the agency’s information and communications technology infrastructure.
PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer AlejandroTengco said the arrests were made by operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group in collaboration with a PAGCOR monitoring team.
“The raiders were armed with a warrant to search, seize and examine operations of computer data against the suspects who were caught red-handed while operating the illegal online gaming platform https://www.tbb888.com or the Big Bet,” Tengco said.
The illegal gaming site has been operating games like slot machines, live casino, e-sports, among others.
The raiders seized from the suspects 11computer sets, 21 mobile phones, two ipads, six laptops and flash drives.
The confiscated gadgets allegedly contained evidence of the group’s illegal online activities, said PAGCOR senior vice president for security and monitoring Raul Villanueva.
The raid was conducted inside the posh BF Northwest Subdivision whose residents included some of the most prominent political and business leaders in Parañaque.
Villanueva said appropriate cases will be filed against the suspects before the Parañaque Regional Trial Court.
“The operation was part of our unified efforts to intensify the fight against illegal online gambling because we have a marching order from chairman Alejandro Tengco to put a stop to these illegal activities,” Villanueva added.
According to him, close to 5,000 illegal online gaming sites were operating in the country at one time but 80 percent of them were already blocked.