PH commits to national cybercrime strategy by 2027 at UN Crime Congress

• Courtesy of FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe

The Philippines has committed to developing a national cybercrime strategy by 2027 as it joined the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Led by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso A. Ver, the delegation is composed of officials from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Philippine National Police (PNP), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), House of Representatives, and the Philippine Embassy and Mission in Vienna.

Among the Philippine delegates are FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe, DOJ Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, CICC Executive Director and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso, and NAPOLCOM Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan.

The congress opened on Sept. 26 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi and will run until Oct. 1. The UN gathering brings together government officials, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement authorities, experts and other stakeholders to discuss crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law.

Gutierrez chaired a segment of the congress’ High-Level Debate on Sept. 26, according to the Philippine Embassy, highlighting the country’s commitment to international cooperation in addressing emerging challenges in crime prevention and criminal justice.

Poe, meanwhile, said the Philippine delegates are pushing for stronger cooperation against cross-border crimes and for a justice system that is accessible to communities.

“At the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, UAE, we join DOJ Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, DICT Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso, NAPOLCOM Commissioner Ralph Calinisan, and fellow Philippine delegates in advancing stronger cooperation against cross-border crimes and promoting justice that is people-centered and accessible to all,” Poe said in a social media post.

Courtesy of NAPOLCOM Commissioner Ralph Calinisan

The Philippines also announced commitments under the Congress’ Pledge4Justice initiative, including the development of a National Cybercrime Prevention and Suppression Plan and Strategy by 2027 through the CICC.

According to the CICC, the strategy will expand nationwide campaigns against online scams and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children while strengthening multisectoral and international cooperation.

The Pledge for Justice initiative allows UN member states to announce concrete and time-bound commitments on crime prevention and criminal justice, including national programs, international cooperation, capacity building and technical assistance.

Calinisan said issues being tackled at the congress include organized crime, cybercrime, trafficking and the implications of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies for justice and police systems.

NAPOLCOM also presented its work on police accountability and oversight, including efforts to promote responsible use of force through oversight, accountability and institutional reform.

The declaration is organized around four broad areas: prevention and resilience; justice and the rule of law; evolving and converging criminal threats; and innovation and cooperation. Discussions at the congress also cover cybercrime, online fraud, trafficking, money laundering, electronic evidence, virtual assets and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in criminal justice systems.

The congress is held under the theme “Accelerating Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law: Protecting People and Planet and Achieving the 2030 Agenda in the Digital Age.”