By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Operatives of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested 136 persons for cybercrimes in March, a police official said on Tuesday (April 15).
In a statement, PNP-ACG Director PBGEN. Bernard Yang said the unit has significantly intensified its efforts in combating cybercrime, resulting in a 3.7-time increase in arrests in March 2025 compared to the same month last year, with 37 arrests.
He said the anti-cybercrime agents also rescued 19 victims in 122 operations conducted last month.
The top five laws most commonly violated include Republic Act (RA) No. 11934 or SIM Registration Act, RA 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or AFASA), RA 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act), RA 9175 (Chain Saw Act), and Article 286 (Grave Coercion) of the Revised Penal Code, all related to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
In connection with the sale of registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, authorities apprehended 30 individuals and seized 782 registered SIM cards, 116 of which were linked to e-wallet accounts.
Yang said last month’s crackdown also highlights the ACG’s heightened efforts to fight the illegal online sale of text-blast machines and signal jammers, wherein police arrested 13 individuals and seized 25 devices.
The operations align with PNP Chief PGEN. Rommel Francisco Marbil’s directive to intensify cybercrime investigation and promote a safer digital environment for all.
Yang, meanwhile, urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious online transactions to the authorities to prevent cyber-enabled crimes. (PNA)
