The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to enhance its capabilities in fighting cybercrime throughout 2025, as announced by DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez during an interview on PTV-4’s ‘Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon’. Vasquez emphasized that the department will focus on advanced technological and forensic training for its staff and law enforcement units to bolster their effectiveness against cyber threats. Additionally, the DOJ aims to strengthen its partnerships with other government bodies, particularly those within the Judiciary, to streamline efforts against cybercrime.
The DOJ’s Office of Cybercrime (OOC), established under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, will play a pivotal role in these initiatives. The OOC is tasked with coordinating international mutual assistance and extradition related to cybercrime, as well as developing and executing strategies for law enforcement and prosecution to combat cyber offenses across the nation.
This announcement follows the recent apprehension of a foreign national and two Filipinos suspected of conducting electronic intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance (ISR) operations targeting critical military and civilian infrastructures. The DOJ is actively pursuing other members of this group believed to be involved in acquiring equipment for these operations. Meanwhile, the military is keeping a close watch on the potential involvement of Philippine Online Gaming Operators (POGOs) in these espionage activities.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had previously ordered the shutdown of all POGOs in the country due to their links to illegal activities. In a related development, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported the arrest of eight foreigners in Parañaque City, suspected of running online phishing scams.