Why it matters:
Online scams are evolving into a global epidemic, exploiting borderless digital platforms while most enforcement efforts remain confined within national boundaries. The DICT aims to bridge that gap through stronger cross-border coordination, intelligence-sharing, and joint action.
Driving the news:
Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry R. Aguda met with officials of GASA and the GSM Association (GSMA) to chart a path toward unified anti-scam policies and enhanced technological capabilities.
“Online scams are not just a national problem; they are a global epidemic,” Aguda said.
He stressed the urgency of harmonizing policies and boosting the Philippines’ role in global anti-scam networks.
The bigger picture:
GASA, based in the Netherlands, connects governments, law enforcement agencies, financial authorities, ISPs, and cybersecurity companies in the fight against online fraud.
GASA Philippines leaders issued a blunt warning to scammers: “Mahiya naman kayo! Itigil n’yo na ang online scams! Hahabulin namin kayo!” (“Shame on you! Stop the online scams! We will go after you!”)
Philippines’ credentials:
The DICT’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is recognized by GASA as a global benchmark for anti-scam operations.
CICC earned the runner-up award for Best Scam Fighting Organization at the 2025 Scam Fighter of the Year Awards in the Netherlands.
It pioneered the National Cybercrime Hub in Bonifacio Global City — Southeast Asia’s first — offering digital forensics, inter-agency coordination, and cybercrime training under a “zero-bureaucracy” model.
What’s next:
The CICC’s 1326 National Anti-Scam Hotline handled over 10,000 scam-related reports in 2024, leading to arrests and actionable intelligence.
Aguda is urging more private sector involvement: “Cybercriminals exploit the very platforms and services that connect us. It is everyone’s responsibility to secure these systems.”
What they’re saying:
“Filipinos deserve to feel safe, not just on the streets but also online. This is a fight we intend to win,” Aguda said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
