ILOILO City – To enhance their response to cybercrime victims, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has procured 19 computer sets equipped with operating systems, original anti-virus software, and printers. These will be distributed to municipal police stations throughout Western Visayas.
Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, the director of PRO-6, emphasized that the initiative is geared towards ensuring that police stations are adequately equipped. With the right tools at their disposal, they can offer top-notch service to the community, especially in the realm of Information and Communications Technology Development (ICT).
“With these new computer sets in place, I am optimistic that our police stations will be even more motivated to serve the community,” said Villaflor.
There has been a noticeable uptick in cybercrime cases recorded by the Regional Anti-Cyber Unit (RACU).
Villaflor pointed out, “Victims no longer need to travel to PRO-6 to file complaints. They can now report directly to their local police stations, saving them travel expenses.”
Additionally, Villaflor mentioned that the Philippine National Police is considering adding cybercrime to its list of eight focus crimes, which currently includes murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, robbery, theft, and carnapping of vehicles and motorcycles.
“We aim to train two cybercrime investigators at each police station, specialized in cybercrime investigations,” he said.
The acquisition of the computer sets was financed from PRO-6’s maintenance and other operating expenses. The following units will be the recipients of the 19 computer sets:
* PRO-6 headquarters (2 sets)
* Banga, Malinao, New Washington, and Tangalan police stations in Aklan (one set each)
* 1st Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Belison and Sebaste police stations (one set each)
* Santa Barbara and Mina police stations in Iloilo (one set each)
* Pilar police station in Capiz (one set)
* Candoni and San Enrique police stations in Negros Occidental (one set each)
* San Lorenzo police station in Guimaras (one set)
* 604th and 606th maneuver companies and the Reconnaissance Company under the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 (one set each)/PN
