Gwen, Bartolome unveil CCPO forensic facility

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A ONE-STORY building that houses the digital forensic laboratory was inaugurated inside the Cebu Provincial Police Office compound in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City yesterday morning.

The facility will be used in tracking down cyber crimes like online pornography, officials said.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Nicanor Bartolome led the ribbon-cutting ceremony with other public and police officials.

“We now inaugurate a building that… symbolizes cooperation, collaboration, working together for the common good,” Garcia said in her speech.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Nov. 21 for the construction of the building, which includes the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-Cebu office. The building’s worth is reportedly over P1 million.

The Cebu Provincial Government donated P5 million worth of digital devices like computers. CIDG Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said the United States Government also donated equipment.

With the facility, Pagdilao said, the police will now have the “opportunity” to deliver an “improved service” to the people.

The police official also urged legislators to create laws that will fight cyber crimes.

“(The laws are) the lifeblood of law enforcement,” he said.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. described cyber crime as the “new menace.” He said through the laboratory, the PNP showed its aim “in advancing the technological and operational capabilities” of the police.

Bartolome said there is a need for the police force to “level up,” which means enhancing skills and competencies in fighting criminals lurking in the Internet.

Garcia said the second batch of forensic laboratory equipment donated by the US Government under its Anti-terrorism Assistance Program was brought to the laboratory yesterday.

She said more equipment will be arriving for the facility.

Ed Schlachter, program manager-support contractor and program specialist Ronald Dizon, both of the US Anti-terrorism Assistance Program, earlier met with the governor to inform her of the arrival of the equipment.

One of the equipment reportedly has the capability to enhance an unclear video footage from a closed-circuit television camera, which would help in identifying a culprit.

Garcia said the laboratory will not only serve the region and surrounding areas, but will also provide trainings to all investigators in the police stations.

The first batch of equipment arrived in the third quarter of last year during the building’s ground-breaking ceremony.