TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) — Due to a growing number of cybercrime cases, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Eastern Visayas will open a Cybercrime Office to handle online-related complaints in the region.
Atty. Emeterio Dongallo Jr., the NBI Regional Director for Eastern Visayas, shared during the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum that their office has received many cybercrime complaints and needs to speed up the processing of other cases.
According to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the NBI and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are responsible for enforcing this law. They will create special cybercrime units to deal with these cases.
While Dongallo did not specify the exact number of cases, he mentioned that the most common types of cybercrime include 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.
Dongallo explained that opening the Cybercrime Office is part of the NBI’s modernization efforts. They also plan to build a new office in Tacloban City and renovate the existing one. The NBI will upgrade its equipment to better combat cybercrime.
In addition, the NBI is conducting information campaigns on social media, holding seminars, and offering training on new technologies.
They are also monitoring social media for signs of potential future attacks.
The Cyber Investigation and Assessment Center, established under the law, will serve as the main hub for information related to cybercrime, including computer intrusions and threats. (RLA, PIA Eastern Visayas)
