CPPO sending own man to cybercrime trainings

CEBU, Philippines - Admitting their lack of expertise to fight cybercrimes especially the proliferation of cybersex in Cebu Province, the Cebu Provincial Police Office is sending one of its men to undergo trainings on cybercrimes.

CPPO director Patrocinio Comendador has identified Police Officer 2 Jorem Gerodias who will be sent in future trainings. Comendador said Gerodias has the skills and potentials being a graduate of Electronics and Communications Engineering.

He has also recently completed his training on web page development at the Department of Science and Technology.

Comendador said the Police Regional Office 7 is now working on a possible tie-up with the Australian government to conduct trainings on cybercrimes.

Comendador said the police are having a hard time monitoring in-house cybersex operations.

 According to Comendador, unlike the cybersex activities done in Internet cafes, in-house operations is difficult to detect unless an informant comes out and tell the police about it.

“Kung naa na sa sulod sa balay wala na man gyud ta kahibalo kung nag-cybersex na diha o wala,” he said.

The police could not also take action unless solid evidence is established. Comendador said the local government unit should be the primary agency to monitor this illegal activity in their area of responsibility.

“Dili man gyud unta na sa pulis kay dili man mi kahibaw unless we are informed,” Comendador said.

Meanwhile, the police have filed yesterday a criminal complaint for violation of Section 4 of the RA 8204 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 against Erwin Mercado and Clifford Caballero before the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office.

Mercado and Caballero, owner and attendant of Level-up Internet Cafe, respectively, where three women were caught posing nude in front of a web camera last Friday.

The three women admitted that they are paid $100 per session by their foreign customers.   - (THE FREEMAN)