CALAMBA CITY (PIA) – The Philippine National Police’s Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (PNP-RACU) in Calabarzon said more victims of online scams have been filing complaints since the creation of cybercrime response teams in the provinces.
Police Major Rainier Sison Julio, assistant chief PNP Calabarzon’s RACU, said complainants have been reporting cybercrime incidents since the creation of the Provincial Anti-Cybercrime Response Teams (PACRT) in Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
“Many victims are now reporting cybercrimes in the region since we operationalized the PACRT," he said.
From January 1 to August 31, 2023, RACU IV-A recorded a total of 3,384 cybercrime cases where online swindling or estafa accounted for the highest number of cases, with 2,151 reported incidents.
Online swindling or estafa is a cybercrime that involves fraud, deception, or misrepresentation to cause financial harm or other damage.
Data interference and illegal access of data were the second and third most reported cybercrimes, with 306 and 255 incidents respectively.
Among the provinces, Cavite logged the highest number of cyber-related incidents, with 1,815 cases while Quezon had the lowest number of cybercrimes.
Julio noted that the absence of PACRT in Quezon and Batangas may explain the lower number of cybercrime incidents in those provinces compared to Cavite. Plans are underway for the creation of PACRT in Batangas and Quezon.
He urged the public to promptly report any cybercrime incidents even as the PNP’s ACG continues to enhance their knowledge and skills to protect the region’s cyberspace.
"We want to assure you that RACU 4A will continue to support and assist the people in preventing cybercrimes. We will continue to provide services and strengthen our knowledge and capabilities to prevent and safeguard our community," he added.
Julio said RACU IV-A has been mobilizing personnel in partnership with the local governments to ensure citizen’s protection from online scams.
"Our PACRT disseminates information to provide tips to the localities, schools, offices, and agencies in our region. We also distribute leaflets to the public and use mass media to raise awareness on how to avoid falling victim to cybercrimes," he added.
Julio warned cybercriminals: "We have already arrested and imprisoned many cybercriminals in the past months. For online scammers out there, they should stop because the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is watching them." (AM/PIA-4A)
