Cybercrime cases in Cordillera down 50% this year

Baguio City, Philippines – The Cordillera region this year has recorded lower cybercrime cases when compared to last year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-Cordillera (RACU COR).

In the data from said office, at least 22 cases of the online scam have been recorded for the whole year, which is 50 percent lower compared to last year where 73 cases were recorded. Cases of Online Libel also decreased from 17 in 2020 to only 8 this year.

The same data also logged only four cases of violations in relation to Republic Act 9995 or Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, while 8 were recorded in 2020.

Further, two cases of threat and two cases of violations of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act have also been recorded.

The agency, however, recorded no changes with the number of cases in violation of RA 9775, RA 9262, unjust vexation, hacking and illegal recruitment.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Divina Mencio, as reported by Mt. Province Broadcasting Corporation, said they expect no changes in the data until the end of 2021.

In a press release, the Philippine National Police warned the public to practice vigilance against cybercriminals in social media.

They cited the prevalence of love scam and package scam modus, and that they advised the public to be cautious about unfamiliar people they meet on Facebook.