The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a safer and more responsible digital environment, as it threw its support behind proposed legislation aimed at curbing cyberlibel and online hate speech.
PNP Chief P/LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force welcomed the proposed “Emman Atienza Bill,” introduced by Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito.
The measure seeks to update existing cybercrime laws to address the evolving threats posed by social media and other digital platforms.
“Sa ngayon, the Cybercrime Prevention Act already provides a strong legal framework against cyberlibel and other online offenses. However, with the rapid evolution of social media and digital platforms, may mga bagong forms ng online hate and harassment na hindi pa fully covered ng existing law,” Nartatez said.
He emphasized that the proposed bill is not intended to restrict freedom of expression but to ensure accountability and protect users from online abuse.
“If the‘Emman Atienza Bill’ will be passed, it could strengthen our efforts to promote responsible online behavior and to protect our citizens from cyberbullying, online defamation, and hate speech,” he added.
The PNP seeks to uphold peace, accountability, and ethical conduct both offline and online as part of a broader campaign for responsible citizenship in the information age, according to Nartatez.
In line with this initiative, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) will launch a nationwide public information campaign titled “Think Before You Click.”
The program aims to educate citizens, particularly the youth, on the legal and social consequences of online abuse, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Education (DepEd), and major social media platforms.
“Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from accountability,” Nartatez stressed.
He also reminded the public that police hotlines and online reporting portals, including Unified 911, are available to handle cases of online harassment or abuse.