PNP forms Anti-Cybercrime Group despite TRO

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police on Wednesday activated its newly-organized national operational support unit, the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).

The PNP said the formation of the ACG is a response to the mandate of Chapter IV, Enforcement and Implementation, Section 10 of the Cybercrime Prevent Act.

It said that the Anti-Cybercrime Group will serve as the primary unit responsible for the implementation of pertinent laws on cybercrimes and anti-cybercrime campaigns of the PNP and the national government.

The PNP formed the group despite the Supreme Court's "indefinite" temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Cybercrime Prevent Act.

Last month, the high court extended indefinitely the 120-day TRO it issued on the new cyber law last year.

The PNP said that the creation of the ACG highlights the organizational development component dedicated in handling cybercrimes to enhance the overall efficiency of the police force to solve and prevent criminality.

The PNP-ACG will also be a part of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, an inter-agency body under the administrative supervision of the Office of the President , for policy coordination among concerned agencies and for the formulation and enforcement of the national cyber security plan.

The PNP- Anti-Cybercrime Group will focus on cybercrime offenses, computer-related offenses, and other content-related offenses such as cybersex, child pornography, unsolicited commercial communication, and other related offenses.