MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement.
CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos and PDEA Asec. Renato Gumban led the signing.
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Ret. PGen. Sotero Ramos, Highly Technical Consultant and Dir. Francis Del Valle, Director III, Legal and Prosecution Service of PDEA, joined the proceeding.
Their collaboration will improve efforts in combating cybercrimes, especially those related to dangerous drugs and controlled components.
The MoA ensures that the CICC’s resources and technical expertise will be available to PDEA representatives.
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Also, the CICC will facilitate the drug agency’s data sharing with other agencies.
On the other hand, PDEA will allow resource sharing with the CICC to prevent and suppress cybercrimes.
“We look forward to closer working relations. We see CICC as a binding entity to all of these, in the middle of all these activities,” Ramos said.
Also, the CICC will facilitate the drug agency’s data sharing with other agencies relevant to RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and other relevant laws.
On the other hand, PDEA will allow resource sharing with the CICC to prevent and suppress cybercrimes.
PDEA Assistant Secretary Renato Gumban explained that criminals have shifted from bank transfers to cryptocurrency payments.
This new technology makes it difficult for law enforcement to track drug payments.
“It’s a bit difficult. It needs technology [so] we need [the] CICC there,” Gumban stated.
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“We hope this is the beginning of a very long relationship,” Ramos added.
