DOJ, DOST sign implementing rules of Cybercrime Prevention Act

Government agencies on Wednesday finalized the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo signed the IRR which the Department of Justice sees as a user's manual for complainants, lawyers, and law enforcers.

The IRR was signed almost three years after President Benigno Aquino III signed RA 10175 in September 2012 and more than a year after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the measure against Internet crime.

It was the subject of a temporary restraining order after its constitutionality was questioned before the High Tribunal.

The IRR will take effect 15 days after its publication in "at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation," read Section 36 of the newly adopted rules.



De Lima said the newly signed IRR is expected to ensure a "proactive approach" in stamping out cybercrime in the country.

DILG Undersecretary for Operations Edwin Enrile, meanwhile, assured the public that overlaps in government functions in implementing the law have already been ironed out.

The Philippine National Police in 2014 recorded 614 Cybercrime-related cases, 22 percent of them were scam-related, 16 percent involved cyber libel, 11 percent were on voyeurism, and 9 percent involved identity theft.

Justice Assistant Secretary Geronimo Sy, head of the DOJ's Office for Cybercrime, said addressing these overlaps involved ensuring that law enforcement against cybercrime is quick.

"Ang cybercrime importantly dapat mabilis. Iyong ebidensya ngayon, mamaya wala na. Hindi tulad ng baril or bolo na nandiyan lang, may dugo. Dito wala eh, walang traces. Mabilis dapat yung law enforcement as a team," Sy said.

Since resources for the implementation of the law are limited, Sy said the government agencies would be prioritizing some cases over others.

"Nananawagan ho tayo when they report crimes sana iyong talagang apektado (ang marami). Hindi iyong away-boyfriend/girlfriend, away-pamilya because resources are very limited," Sy said.

Sy said priority cases would involve large syndicates that use the Internet to prey on minors and women.

He also said the government was specifically focusing on what is now called "Internet budol-budol," where victims are tricked to send money over the Internet.

"Yung ngayon ang mga kriminal, bakit magpi-pickpocket? Mabubugbog ka pa! Ngayon, online, nakaupo ka lang, nakanakaw ka na ng password. You're in the safety of your home. Wala kang pagod eh," Sy said.

Next on the government's agenda is creating an "Investigation Manual," which would include guidelines when reporting a cyber crime to international law enforcement agencies like the International Criminal Police and the European Criminal Police.

Sy also maintained the DOJ's position that cyber libel should not have been included in RA 10175. "But since nandyan na, we'll have to move forward with it," he said. —NB, GMA News