Admitting that the Department of Information and Communications Technology is powerless without the necessary equipment, Secretary Ivan Uy said they have requested a P300-million confidential and intelligence fund or CIF for 2024 to combat scammers.

In a Malacañang press briefing Wednesday, Uy explained that the CIF is necessary to conduct intelligence operations and investigations to apprehend cyber criminals.

"Our hands are tied without the proper tools, and many of these tools and methods require confidential funds to be implemented," he said.

Confidential funds pertain to costs associated with surveillance operations within non-military government agencies to assist in their mission and functions.

The DICT chief expressed concern over scammers using multiple schemes to evade being identified and apprehended. These criminals, who are well-funded, well-organized, and highly technical, should be matched with appropriate capabilities.

The DICT, he said, is working with law enforcement agencies to crack down on cybercrime.

The CIF would allow the DICT to take a more proactive approach to combating these crimes, he added.

"We need to be able to gather intelligence and conduct investigations without being hampered by red tape," Uy said.

Joint Circular No. 2015-01, issued on 8 January 2015 by the Commission on Audit and four other government entities, prescribes the guidelines for utilizing and auditing intelligence and confidential funds.

According to the Department of Budget and Management, the combined allocation for confidential and intelligence funds for the coming year amounts to P10.142 billion.

The DBM noted that this figure represents an increase of P120 million compared to the P10.02 billion allocated for CIF in 2023.