PNP-ACG at GCash, Sanib Pwersa sa Pagpapatrolya Kontra Cybercriminals sa Social Media

Isang mas pina-igting na operasyon ang isinagawa ng Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) katuwang ang GCash para bulabugin ang mga cybercriminal na patuloy ang panloloko online. Target ng tambalang ito ang mga sangkot sa child exploitation at ilegal na bentahan ng mga pre-registered SIM cards

Sa isang undercover operation, natimbog ng mga pulis ang isang indibidwal na umano’y sangkot sa child trafficking gamit ang isang kilalang online platform. Ayon sa imbestigasyon, itinakda pa raw ng suspek ang pagkikita ng biktima at ng “kliyente” sa isang hotel—lingid sa kaalaman ng suspek ay mga pulis na pala ang kanyang ka meet-up. Mabilis na nailigtas ang bata habang ang suspek ay agad inaresto ng Anti-TIP/OSAEC team ng PNP-ACG. Nahaharap siya ngayon sa kasong paglabag sa Republic Act 9208 at RA 10364 na layong supilin ang human trafficking.

Samantala, tuloy rin ang pagkalampag sa mga nagbebenta ng pre-registered SIM cards—isang kalakaran na ginagamit ng mga scammer para makapandaya online. Na-monitor ng mga awtoridad ang mga transaksyon sa social media kung saan binebenta ang mga SIM na ito para takasan ang pagkakakilanlan. May mga inaresto sa bisa ng RA 11934 (SIM Registration Act) at RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act). May mga nahuling lumabag din sa Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), sa mga hiwalay na operasyon laban sa cyber fraud.

Patuloy ang paalala ng GCash: Huwag kailanman magbahagi ng MPIN o OTP! Huwag ring mag-click ng mga kahina-hinalang link! Hindi sila nagpapadala ng PM na humihingi ng personal info.

May kahina-hinalang transaksiyon? I-report agad sa PNP-ACG sa (02) 8414-1560 o 0998-598-8116 o sa email na acg@pnp.gov.ph. Sa GCash naman, i-message lang si Gigi sa website, i-type ang “I want to report a scam,” o tumawag sa 2882.

PNP, GCash Nab Online seller for Sextortion

The Philippine National Police (PNP), in close coordination with GCash, has recently arrested a suspect who was using his online selling business to gain access to a victim’s private photos or videos for ‘sextortion’, an act of extorting money by threatening to expose sensitive materials.

The PNP identified the suspect as Ronald Hipol, 54, an online seller from Victoria Homes, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa. Hipol used a social media account under the name ‘Jerry Kantar’ to threaten the victim that he would circulate her sensitive videos unless she paid him P10,000. Hipol also managed to infiltrate the  social media account of the victim’s father-in-law, to whom he sent the same threatening messages.

Unfortunately for the suspect, the victim’s husband is a police officer who immediately coordinated with his fellow law enforcers and GCash to track him down by luring him into receiving his money via e-wallet which led  to  the hunt down and arrest Hipol.

With millions of users and the end goal of financial inclusion, Gcash prioritizes the online safety of its users. While the country’s No. 1 finance super app continues to cooperate with law enforcement authorities against scammers and fraudsters, it also promotes public awareness of these cybercriminal activities so that users know how to avoid them. GCash is in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

GCash is also urging its users to be extra vigilant of online scammers and fraudsters. When making transactions on the app, users are reminded never to disclose their MPIN or OTP. With the rise in phishing incidents, users are strongly advised never to click links, especially from unknown senders.

For help and assistance, contact the PNP-ACG via their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560, 0998-598-8116, or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph

To report scams and fraudulent activities, visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us or message Gigi on the website and type, “I want to report a scam.” GCash will never send private messages to ask for personal information, especially the MPIN and One-Time Pin (OTP). Customers can also reach out to the official GCash hotline at 2882 for queries and other concerns.

PNP to Acquire State-of-the-art 3M Ballistic Helmets in Line with Modernization Program

The ten-year modernization program of the Philippine National Police gained more traction recently with the ceremonial turnover of an enhanced combat helmet and tactical protective eyewear for the police force at the flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame held early October.

3M Philippines President & Managing Director Ariel Lacsamana and Gina  Marie  Angangco,   President  of Armscor Shooting   Center, Inc., and  local partner  of  3M in the defense industry presented plaques to Chief PNP Oscar Albayalde and PNP deputy directors, signifying the full delivery later in the year of the first batch of protective headgear for the police force.

The force has undertaken the upgrading of soldier protection with the 3M ballistic helmets with the objective of becoming a highly capable, effective and credible police service by 2030.

Ceradyne Inc., a 3M company, designed the state-of-the-art, ultra-light 3M™ Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110 which leverages 3M scientific expertise to deliver the highest level of protection for its weight, based on a technology that has already been proven with the U.S. military. The effectiveness of the 3M L110 allows military and police forces to receive greater protection and comfort at an industry leading light weight to more easily and safely complete their missions.

The procurement of an initial 14 thousand ballistic helmets are part of the PNP’s modernization efforts to fulfill its vision of being a highly capable, effective and credible police service that works with the community to create a safer place to live, work and do business. The 3M ballistic helmets are the first of its kind to be delivered by 3M in Asia.

“At 3M, we are committed to providing the most innovative ballistic helmet solutions available and continue to push technology boundaries to save lives,” said Tim Koenig, Vice President & General Manager, 3M Advanced Materials Division and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ceradyne, Inc., in a statement.  “We also have a proven history of producing thousands of helmets that utilize similar technology to the L110.  Our quality and compliance-driven manufacturing has earned 3M a reputation that our customers can trust.”

Ariel Lacsamana, President and Managing Director of 3M Philippines, said “We are a science-based technology company with access to technologies that the US Military trusts. We want to make sure this is available to the Filipino soldiers protecting us – their lives are worth protecting, every life is. This should give our kababayans more confidence in our own soldiers that they are better equipped to protect our safety and security.”

“Credit goes to the PNP for being a visionary in exploring the technologies that will best ensure safety for our police force. 3M stands behind the defense industry and look forward to offering similar state-of-the art protective gear for the armed forces”, continues Lacsamana.

Ms. Angangco added : “Armscor Shooting Center, Inc. is a proud partner of the PNP and 3M. Over the years, Armscor has serviced the pistol and ammo requirements of the PNP. Today, we have taken this partnership forward even more, venturing into the protection of our uniformed personnel. Armscor is honored to be able to provide the PNP with a more integrated solution to its law enforcement mandate in its bid to become a word-class police force.”

3M has operations in about 70 countries where it serves its customers where they are, resulting in valuable direct relationships with 3M at headquarters and support for local customers throughout the process and delivery.