Archival seeks NBI aid vs. cybercrimes

CEBU, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation-7 regional director Jose Ermie Monsanto paid a courtesy call visit on Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival yesterday morning, March 2, where the mayor brought up concerns involving cybercrime.

NBI-7 information officer Maria Contessa Lastimoso said during the brief meeting, Lastimoso said Archival sought assistance from the NBI-7 to come up with better ways to address the prevalence of cybercrime incidents in Cebu City.

For Lastimoso, there are two reasons why Archival stressed the cybercrime activities in the city to the NBI.

She first mentioned that it is part of the agency’s jurisdiction under Republic Act 10867 under the National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act of 2016.

Secondly, reported incidents related to cybercrime are rampant in Cebu City, she said.

Although there were no specific directives that Archival gave to the NBI-7, Lastimoso said that the talk highlighted how to bolster their efforts in reducing such criminal activities online.

“The discussion was more on how to beef up, protecting the constituents of Cebu from further cybercrime offenses,” she said.

When asked what cybercrime incidents were frequently reported to the NBI-7, Lastimoso mentioned that scams are generally pervasive across Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu City.

“In general, particularly in Cebu City, there are plenty of scams happening right now,” she said.

She said scams come in various forms that often pop up in social media, wherein the perpetrator will recruit the victim for a job and let him or her work a lot of tasks. But in return, the victim is asked to pay a certain amount through his or her taxes.

Monsanto also said yesterday’s meeting was a “productive” one, highlighting Archival’s dedication toward enforcing the law.

“It was a productive discussion about working for our mutual interests. As we all know Mayor Archival is keen on helping out law enforcement and we are also keen in assisting him (with) whatever is required,” she said.

Lastimoso also said it has been a while since the two last met, noting that Monsanto started working at the NBI Central Visayas Regional Office and was later transferred into other offices in Visayas and Mindanao before his recent return as the regional director earlier on January this year.

On the part of the NBI-7, the agency assured an open and continuous collaboration, coordination, and communication with the city government.

Lastimoso said Monsanto also expressed his commitment to Archival in addressing crucial issues in the city.

“RD (regional director) has committed to help the City of Cebu in whatever capacity within the mandate of the NBI,” said Lastimoso, “RD Monsanto is very open to help out, especially where special laws are involved.”

Furthermore, the agency also reaffirmed its role as an investigative agency in the region, intensifying its operations also within Cebu Province.

“We continue to work not only with the city but also with the Province of Cebu,” Lastimoso said.

Along with Monsanto, also present during the meeting with Archival were NBI-7 agents. — (FREEMAN)