PNP activates anti-cybercrime unit

To bolster the government's efforts to thwart computer- and Internet-based crimes, the Philippine National Police on Wednesday activated a new anti-cybercrime unit. Dubbed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), the new unit is a product of the Anti-Cybercrime Act of 2012 signed by President Benigno Aquino III last September. "The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group will focus on cybercrime offenses, computer-related offenses, and other content-related offenses such as cybersex, child pornography, unsolicited commercial communication, and other related offenses," the PNP said. It will also be the "primary unit responsible for the implementation of pertinent laws on cybercrimes and anti-cybercrime campaigns of the PNP and the national government." Citing the provisions of the Anti-Cybercrime Law, the ACG will also be a part of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), an inter-agency body under the Office of the President, for policy coordination among concerned agencies. It will thus help fulfill the CICC's mandate to formulate and enforce the national cyber security plan. — DVM, GMA News