MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would validate its crime data and intensify operations against online scams and other cybercrimes after a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed cybercrime victimization among Filipino families hitting a record high.
PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and regional police units would continue checking reports of cybercrime, particularly the possible presence of organized scamming hubs.
“We will look into that if really these cybercrime cases have increased. For our data, it says otherwise. But we are continuously doing that, checking on it, especially if there is a semblance of scamming hubs and the like,” Nartatez said.
The latest SWS survey showed that 8 percent of Filipino families reported having a member victimized by cybercrime in the past six months, up from 5.8 percent in March.
The 8 percent figure is the highest recorded since SWS began monitoring cybercrime in 2023.
The survey was conducted from June 20 to 29 among 1,200 adults nationwide.
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Cybercrime victimization increased in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao, while it slightly declined in Balance Luzon.
The SWS survey covered cybercrimes such as online scams, account hacking and cyberbullying.
Asked about POGOs, Nartatez noted that online gaming operations have already been banned for more than a year.
He said the PNP’s continuing arrests and operations against illegal online gaming activities indicate that these operations are already declining.
“Ito ‘yung nag-increase before its existence but now bumababa. It is evidenced by the different arrests and operations that we have done,” Nartatez said.
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The PNP said its ACG and regional units are also strengthening cybercrime prevention, investigation and public awareness efforts, while coordinating with partner agencies and acting on complaints more quickly.
The reported rise in cybercrime comes despite an overall decline in traditional crime victimization.
SWS found that 10 percent of Filipino families reported being victimized by common crimes in the past six months, down from 12.3 percent in March.
The crimes include street robbery, break-ins, physical violence, and carjacking.
Nartatez attributed the decline to the PNP's continuing implementation of the Safer Cities Initiative, which focuses on police visibility, patrol operations and capability enhancement.
He said the PNP also recorded a decline in focus crimes when comparing the January-to-August period this year with the same period last year.
“The personnel are truly seen in the streets. At the same time, the continuous capability enhancement of our PNP units,” he said.
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