The Philippines’ Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) says it has entered an agreement with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in an effort to progress a broad crackdown on illegal online activities including illicit online gambling nationwide.
The agreement includes a related partnership with gaming regulator PAGCOR and the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) under which each will provide relevant information to assist in the fight.
In an announcement, CICC explained that the partnerships were sparked by recent data showing a total of 1,891 reports involving illegal online gambling in the first three months of the year. As such, it has come together with PAGCOR, the PNP-ACG and Digital Pinoys to conduct an extensive crackdown on illegal online gambling operations and promotions. This will comprise supporting PAOCC’s case build-up and prosecution procedure by providing assistance in carrying out digital forensics activities, and leading the blocking of illicit gambling websites and content based on data forwarded PAGCOR and PAOCC.
“The full-scale digital transformation throughout the years has resulted in the major switch of the online ecosystem from being an uncomplicated platform to a sophisticated avenue,” CICC said.
“However, cybercriminals have forged a path to utilize these innovations to the core by leveraging the internet and exploiting its users’ vulnerabilities, which consequently results in a loss of public trust in digital services.
“Given this plight, the authorities are dared to exercise extreme vigilance to apprehend the threat actors that are now pooling resources to execute cybercrimes, including operating POGO hubs and illegal online gambling.”
CICC’s announcement came on the same day that e-wallet provider GCash revealed it has prohibited access to more than 3,200 merchants found to have abused the national QR system by redirecting users to illegal gambling and other illicit activities. The QR system is overseen by the Philippines’ central bank, which last year controversially ordered GCash and other providers to remove direct links to licensed gambling sites.
In a statement, GCash operator G-Xchange Inc said it is working with authorities including CICC to take down malicious sites and regularly reported suspicious transactions to the center to support law enforcement.
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