Senator JV Ejercito called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify its campaign against online scams and strengthen efforts to assist victims and hold perpetrators accountable, citing the growing reliance of Filipinos on digital transactions.

During budget deliberations for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies, Ejercito noted that while reported online selling scams dropped from 3,025 cases in 2024 to 1,525 in 2025, they remain the most frequent form of cybercrime in the country.

Ejercito, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, asked police leadership what concrete measures are in place to help victims recover stolen funds and ensure scammers face prosecution, particularly cases involving messaging apps and e-commerce platforms.

Are you able to help our countrymen recover their lost money, or put these scammers behind bars, Ejercito asked PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.

Nartatez replied that the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, the 911 emergency hotline and specialized investigators have helped lower cybercrime’s share of total recorded offenses from 40 percent down to 15 to 20 percent.