City cyber response team in the works
DUE to the growing number of cybercrime cases, the Davao Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (Racu) Davao has proposed the creation of the Davao City Cyber Response Team to address the online-related complaints here.
Racu Davao director Colonel Noel Espinoza said that unlike before, their unit was barely noticed by the public but when the investment scam erupted last year, they have started receiving a lot of complaints.
Under Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 under Chapter 4 of Section 10, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are the only units responsible for the efficient and effective law enforcement of the provisions of the law. The NBI and the PNP shall organize a cybercrime unit or center manned by special investigators to exclusively handle cases involving violations of this Act.
Espinoza said in 2019, a total of 143 cases were referred to Racu and 36 cases have been filed. Topping the list of cybercrime cases committed include online libel, online scam, Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, identity theft, online threat, unjust vexation, sextortion, ATM and credit card fraud.
With only six personnel processing the complaints posed a challenge for their office. Thus, they were elated when Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte supported the creation of the cyber response team.
“Ito po ‘yong mga initiatives natin dahil actually anim lang kami sa ngayon and napaka underman namin. Isa yan sa mga challenges na hinaharap naming sa ngayon kaya with my initiative, we coordinated with the city director para pa create po itong Davao City Cyber Response Team to address immediately the increasing number of cybercrime cases particularly in Davao City,” Espinoza said.
He also attributed the increasing number of cybercrime cases in the city due to the awareness of the public on where to complain once they experience online fraud or online harassment. Espinoza added that they expect more complaints due to their strengthened information drive.
“Since may awareness na sila, nire-report na nila ngayon. Based on our record dahil sa continuous conduct ng information drive, nag-increase ang number of cybercrime cases reported to our office,” he added.
Based on the approved organization staffing pattern, they will have a satellite office in different provinces. They decided to pilot it here since most of their referred cases are from Davao City.
A total of six personnel from DCPO will undergo a three-week training in their office and will compose the Davao City Police Response Team. Espinoza added that they have yet to launch the task force. (JCR)