COLLABORATION IS KEY TO ANTI-CYBERCRIME INITIATIVES - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara emphasized the importance of collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders in combating cybercrimes.

In a TV interview, Angara underscored that because of the borderless nature of Internet-related crimes such as hacking, identity theft, online fraud and child pornography, anybody can be hit from anywhere in the world.

"Cooperation is the key word to the successful apprehension of cybercriminals and the outright prevention of cybercrimes. Not only government agencies, but also the private sector and the academe, will have to work with each other to ensure the safety of our cyberspace," explained Angara.

Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science & Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), is the author and main sponsor of an anti-cybercrime measure recently approved in the Senate.

Senate Bill no. 2796 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 proposes a legal framework for the detection, investigation, apprehension, prosecution and prevention of cybercrimes.

The bill designates certain parts of the government as responsible for implementation, creating new agencies such as the Office of Cybercrime (under the Department of Justice), the National Cybersecurity Center (under the Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology) and the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Council (under the Office of the President).

"By laying down the legal parameters, the measure provides a solid foundation for us to collaborate with our counterparts in other countries," stressed Angara, who is also Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. "If we don't get ourselves organized now and start building up our technical and institutional capacity, how do we expect to be prepared for future threats?"

The veteran lawmaker then called for the swift passage of the measure, noting that while it has been approved in the Senate, its counterpart is still pending in the House of Representatives.

He added, "I'll be forthright and say that the version we have passed is still a work in progress. There are still a few steps that need to be taken. The bill will still have to undergo bicameral review, after it gets passed in the House.

"People can still voice out their concerns and hopefully provide some constructive input. This is a hallmark not only of the openness of our legislative process, but also of how important close collaboration is in the crafting of good laws," he said. "I urge every stakeholder to participate so that we can make sure that our national cybercrime prevention policies truly reflect the interests of the Filipino people."