PNP boosts cyber training amid e-wallet bust

The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Tuesday it will invest in digital literacy programs to better equip officers against the rising threat of online financial fraud and e-wallet scams.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the department must match its traditional street-level enforcement with equal aggressiveness in cyberspace.

“The digital technology is evolving fast and that includes the methods of cybercriminals,” Nartatez said. “We must equip our personnel with the necessary skills not only to keep up but to be ahead of cybercriminals at all times. This is part of modern policing.”

The initiative follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to strengthen public protection against cybercrime.

The announcement comes after the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group arrested eight individuals on 21 January in a nationwide operation targeting the illegal sale of e-wallet accounts. The raids took place in Quezon City, Manila and Davao Oriental. Investigators said these accounts are frequently used as tools for digital scams and fraud.

“This case of eight individuals is just the tip of the iceberg,” Nartatez warned, adding that the scale of these networks requires a more tech-savvy police force.

Nartatez emphasized that education is the primary deterrent against cybercrime. He noted that the PNP’s goal is not only to make arrests but to teach citizens how to remain safe in a digital environment.

He also urged the public to use simple precautions, such as enabling two-factor authentication and verifying the source of e-wallet offers.

As part of this effort, the PNP is collaborating with financial technology companies. The Anti-Cybercrime Group recently partnered with the online lender JuanHand to develop public awareness campaigns and workshops focused on identifying predatory lending schemes and evolving digital threats.