Trillanes pushes comprehensive anti-cybercrime policy

Senator Antonio “Sonny" F. Trillanes IV has filed a Senate bill that aims to impose a comprehensive policy to combat “cybercrime" and punish perpetrators with penalties of imprisonment of up to 12 years and a fine of up to P800,000. “There is a need for the Philippines to have a law that will define cyber crimes, identify punishable acts involving computers with corresponding penalties, determine legal procedures for the investigation and prosecution of cyber crimes, clarify jurisdictions, provide for a clause on mutual assistance and cooperation, and identify a local body that shall be responsible for providing 24/7 assistance to foreign entities in the resolution of cyber crime cases," said Trillanes. Senator Edgardo Angara filed a similar bill last week in the Upper Chamber, entitled the “Cybercrime Prevention Act". Just like Angara’s proposed law, the Trillanes bill aims to enumerate and clarify the activities that constitute cybercrime including theft of personal and vital information, cybersex, child pornography, trafficking, prostitution and solicitation of money. It also aims to create a Computer Emergency Response Council (CERC) under the Office of the President, which shall oversee the development and implementation of national action plan to combat cybercrime. Trillanes also said that he wants the governments to coordinate with other countries in the tracking, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime. “It is hoped that thru the passage of this bill, cyber criminals will be discouraged from engaging in these illegal act. The passage of this bill will send a clear signal to the international community that our country is serious in combating cyber crimes," said Trillanes. — Newsbytes.ph