A significant step forward in fortifying the country’s digital landscape was recently taken with the formal partnership between Scam Watch Pilipinas (#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 menace of cyber fraud.
The alliance was solidified through a covenant signing at the National Cybercrime Hub, establishing #ScamWatchPH as a national citizen movement and a vital government arm dedicated to promoting cyber safety.
Founded by Manila Bulletin (MB) and reputation management startup Truth360, #ScamWatchPH focuses on empowering Filipinos with essential knowledge to defend themselves against online scams, while also leveraging the resources of the CICC to prevent and suppress 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 Uy hailed the partnership as a milestone, emphasizing its collective efforts to safeguard and empower communities against the persistent tactics of scammers. Uy urged everyone to wake up, learn, and actively participate in the fight against online scams.
CICC’s Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Ramos highlighted how #ScamWatchPH will enhance their cybercrime prevention initiatives, encouraging the public to report cybercrime incidents via CICC’s hotline 1326.
The co-lead convenors of #ScamWatchPH emphasized the crucial role of education and awareness campaigns in this battle. They addressed the complexity of online fraudulent activities, ranging 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.
Truth360 Founder and President Jocel De Guzman stated that the movement’s objective is to disseminate consistent information about the government’s cybersecurity initiatives, providing support to victims of cyber fraud and safeguarding customers and clients of brand partners through a unified cybersecurity messaging approach.
This partnership marks the beginning of a new era of digital vigilance, ensuring a comprehensive and proactive stance against the rising tide of online threats.
For more updates, follow and like #ScamWatchPH on their Facebook Page at facebook.com/scamwatchpilipinas.
