Article by:
Perla Lena
ILOILO CITY – The Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit in Western Visayas (RACU-6) has activated two cyber response teams, the latest of which was in Iloilo City on Wednesday.
RACU-6 Acting Chief Lt. Col. Richard Adonis Habawel, in a media interview on Friday, said they hope to expand to other provinces if they receive additional personnel from headquarters.
The first response team was activated at the Antique Police Provincial Office on Feb. 4.
Habawel said they decided to activate a response team at the Police Station 2 in Iloilo City due to the number of cybercrime cases they recorded in 2025.
"Last year, we were able to record about 125 cases from residents of Iloilo City. It is just but proper that we put a team and office here to be accessible to constituents of Iloilo City, at the same time serve as a focal unit of the Iloilo City Police Office," he said.
He said all police stations are mandated to have at least two cybercrime investigators.
The response team in Iloilo City will be led by Lt. Darius Alinsasaguin in a concurrent capacity because he also holds the post of digital forensic examiner at the regional headquarters.
The role of the response team is to assist the 10 police stations of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) in case of cybercrime complaints.
Habawel said they are also scheduling seminars for investigators of the ICPO.
Meanwhile, cases have been filed for 21 of the over 100 cybercrime incidents recorded last year.
Habawel said other complainants lost interest due to a tedious process or monetary concerns, while some complaints were reported for record purposes only.
He said most of the complaints were for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code or estafa, covering cases like online scam, online shopping, or investment scam.
This Valentine's Day, he advised the public to be discerning to avoid becoming victims of love scams.
"The perpetrators of love scams, they take advantage of our human weaknesses. The usual victims are those looking for a partner in life. If it is too good be true, then it must be a scam," he said.
Meanwhile, ICPO officer-in-charge Col. Wilbert Parilla said the activation of the cybercrime response team means there is now a unit that will focus on digital crimes.
He noted that the volume of cybercrime is even higher than theft and robbery cases in the city.
"Kaya, kailangan na talaga na mag create tayo (Thus, there is really a need to create a cybercrime unit). It is timely," he said. (PNA)
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