A significant step forward in strengthening the digital landscape of the country was recently made with the formal partnership between Scam Watch Philippines (#ScamWatchPH), the Department of Information, Communication and Technology (DICT), THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to combat the growing threat of cyber fraud.
The alliance was strengthened by the signing of the treaty of National Cybercrime Hub, establishing #ScamWatchPH as a national citizens’ movement and an important arm of government dedicated to promoting cyber safety.
Founded by the Manila Bulletin (MB) and reputation management startup Truth360, #ScamWatchPH focuses on empowering Filipinos with essential knowledge to protect themselves against online scams, while also leveraging CICC’s resources to prevent and combat cybercrimes.
The historic event was attended by representatives from DICT, CICC, NTC, Manila Bulletin, and Truth360, along with Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara from the Office of the President and retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes.
DICT Secretary Atty. Ivan John Hey The partnership was hailed as a milestone, highlighting its collective efforts to protect and empower communities against the ongoing tactics of scammers. Uy urges everyone to wake up, learn, and actively participate in the fight against online scams.
The Executive Director Undersecretary of CICC Alexander Ramos Highlighted how #ScamWatchPH will improve its cybercrime prevention initiatives, encouraging the public to report cybercrime incidents through CICC’s hotline 1326.
The co-lead convenors of #ScamWatchPH emphasized the important role of education and awareness campaigns in this battle. They address the complexity of online fraud activities, from phishing scams to sophisticated schemes involving fake e-commerce sites. The initiative aims to instill a culture of constant vigilance by providing practical advice on identifying scams and promoting skepticism towards unsolicited messages.
The Truth360 Founder and President Jocel De Guzman stated that the goal of the movement is to disseminate consistent information about the government’s cybersecurity initiatives, provide support to victims of cyber fraud and protect customers and clients of brand partners through a unified cybersecurity messaging approach.
This partnership marks the beginning of a new era in digital surveillance, ensuring a comprehensive and proactive stance against the rise of online threats.
For more updates, follow and like #ScamWatchPH on their Facebook Page at facebook.com/scamwatchpilipinas.
