Lawmaker says RP cyber crime days numbered

A unified front called, ‘’Cyber Citizen Partnership Program (CCPP)’’ to protect the children and create the next generation of responsible cyber citizens has been launched on Tuesday. Joining the call of Rep. Francis Nepomuceno (1-D, Pampanga), chair of the House committee on civil service and professional regulation, were Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Smart, BayanTel, Unisys Phils, National Telecommunications Commission, Stop Trafficking of Pilipinos, Philippine Alliance Against Pornography Inc., Coalition Against Pornography. Nepomuceno said the move will make the Philippines a better place to live in knowing that government and private sectors have joined hands in solving cyber crime. The move also aims to reduce human losses resulting from cyber attacks and protection of the nation’s information infrastructure. The Central Luzon lawmaker said losses due to unabated cyber crime involve an insurmountable amount, likely to reach millions of pesos. “The telecommunication and information technology companies, government and non-government organizations, have signified their full cooperation for the success of the CCPP. We will create a memorandum of agreement to fine tune the roles of all parties involved," he said. Nepomuceno said the CCPP is patterned after the successful model established in the United States, United Kingdom, and some Asian countries. “We look forward to stop the incidents of children being victimized in the internet. There are numerous reports wherein stalkers and rapists hide under the cloak of disguise while chatting and sending emails to children," he said. Unisys country manager Maurice Locsin said he supports the move for a self-regulation of the cyber industry. He proposed the creation of a cyber police who will track down the culprits. Nepomuceno said he will propose a measure offering tax incentives to the private sector who will assist in the undertaking.-GMANews.TV