BPI and DOJ-Office of Cybercrime partner for training of provincial prosecutors

In a groundbreaking collaboration with the Department of Justice - Office of Cybercrime, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has embarked on a transformative journey through the conduct of two cybercrime investigation trainings for prosecutors.

The initiative commenced on October 11 to 12 in Paringao, Bauang, La Union and continued with the second leg on December 5 to 6 at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay. These training sessions signify the inception of a crucial initiative aimed at combating financial cybercrimes.

“There has been progress in building collaboration between the government and the private sector. The most important among these are information sharing and awareness campaigns that seek to strengthen law enforcement against cybercrime,” said Jonathan John Paz, BPI Data Protection Officer and Enterprise Information Security Officer.

The training with the DOJ-OOC serves as one of the driving forces to sustain a whole-of-nation approach in combating cybercrimes. Through this collaboration, BPI seeks to introduce and enhance participants’ understanding of financial cybercrime, including its facilitators, suppression, deterrence, and avenues for improving justice administration.

Tailored for prosecutors, the recent trainings focused on imparting essential knowledge and skills related to legal instruments on cybercrime and electronic evidence. Highlighting the support from BPI, Assistant Secretary Arturo Malvar expressed optimism about the collaborative activities with the bank, envisioning a more collective, coordinated, and strategic cyber response.

BPI recognizes the imperative of a unified effort and ongoing partnership with government agencies to bolster cybersecurity. Acknowledging that the private sector alone cannot address this challenge, BPI emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to create an enabling regulatory environment for digital finance. Strengthening partnerships with relevant government agencies is seen as pivotal, ensuring that cybersecurity becomes a shared responsibility rather than a mere checkbox requirement.

As BPI continues its proactive stance in cybersecurity, the Cybercrime Investigation Trainings are emerging as a beacon, guiding law enforces, organizations, and the nation toward a more secure and resilient digital future.