In the digital age, crime moves fast. Our institutions do not.
A content creator recently attempted to report a scam operation linked to what is now confirmed to be a massive online fraud scheme operating out of IT Park. But instead of acting on the lead, police told him to file a report — in person — at a specific precinct in Cebu.
That’s how we lose time. That’s how we lose leads. That is how we let entire operations fester until they blow up in our faces.
This is not just about one missed opportunity. It is about a mindset stuck in the past — one where form matters more than urgency, and where digital tips are dismissed simply because they do not fit into a predefined box. It is the kind of thinking that makes our police force reactive instead of responsive. And that failure has a cost.
What could have been a breakthrough moment — where early digital evidence or testimony sparked a coordinated investigation — became yet another instance of institutional delay. By the time law enforcement finally mobilized, the scammers were already alerted.
It’s time we stop excusing this. Technology has outpaced our systems. Crime syndicates use encrypted apps, deepfake videos and burner accounts. Meanwhile, we still ask whistleblowers to commute, wait in line and fill out a form by hand.
There is no reason we cannot implement a secure online reporting mechanism for leads, tips, and whistleblower accounts — complete with digital verification and proper documentation. Other countries do it. Tech companies do it. Even small businesses do it.
So why can’t we?
The answer is not just bureaucratic. It is cultural. We do not yet trust our people unless they’re physically present. We do not take leads seriously unless they walk into a station. And until that changes, we will keep chasing crime after the fact — always too late, always playing catch-up.
The IT Park scam was a warning. Let us not wait for the next one before we finally decide to act.