Cybercrime Dialogue Session
Building Cooperation Between Prosecutors and Police on Cybercrime Cases

“As important pillars in the administration of justice, we also have to step up and equip ourselves with knowledge and techniques as we all put up a united front in investigating and prosecuting cybercrimes in court,” said Northern Mindanao Regional Prosecutor Merlynn Barola-Uy in her message.  She added, “What better way to demonstrate our partnership than by coming together for this training -- prosecutors and law enforcers learning from each other signals a new way of doing things founded on cooperation, collaboration and coordination,” highlighting the importance of joint efforts in combating cybercrime. These words set the tone for the two-day activity, “Seminar-Workshop for Trial Prosecutors and PNP Investigators on the Investigation and Prosecution of Cybercrimes” which gathered forty-two participants form the region.

HSF

Over the course of the activity, participants engaged in detailed reviews of significant legislation affecting cybercrime investigations and prosecutions, including Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, along with its Implementing Rules and Regulations.  The sessions also covered Supreme Court guidelines on evidence preservation and custody, as well as recent legislative updates addressing anti-trafficking, online child exploitation, and financial scams.  The idea was to equip prosecutors and investigators with essential tools to effectively prevent, investigate, and prosecute a wide range of cyber offenses.

Furthermore, to address regional smuggling challenges, a Bureau of Customs official presented principal penal provisions under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and related laws.  The discussion included customs procedures, taxation laws, and regulatory orders designed to uphold transparency, enforce penalties, and combat unlawful trade and tax evasion in products such as alcohol and tobacco.

Police Brigadier General Rolindo M Suguilon, Acting Regional Director, Police Regional Office No. 10 (PRO10) also expressed his support for this activity.  In his message, which was read by Police Brigadier General Joselito L Clarito, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PRO10, he declared, "This initiative provides us with a strategic platform to strengthen operational synergy between law enforcement and prosecution. By aligning our procedures, enhancing communication and streamlining the flow of information, we not only build institutional capacity but also cultivate a unified approach to delivering justice. Through shared learning and practical collaboration, we reinforce the responsiveness and resilience of our criminal justice system in addressing cybercrime," He continued, "Our collaborative efforts in intelligence gathering, digital forensics, and case building are crucial to securing convictions and delivering justice.  By integrating our technical knowledge with legal strategies, we create powerful framework to dismantle these criminal operations and protect our children."

Based on their feedback as gathered through the post-activity survey questionnaires (EvaSys), prosecutors and police investigators present expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the activity.  The information and insights shared during the sessions were widely regarded as useful, with many participants indicating that what they learned would directly assist them in managing current prosecutions and investigations. The activity was considered timely and beneficial, providing essential support and guidance to those handling active cases.

Further, they requested that future activities cover the following topics: (a) cybercrime warrants and digital evidence handling; (b) specific laws on cybercrime, Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and trafficking in persons; and, (c) practical techniques and guidance for cybercrime investigation. These topics reflect the participants’ pressing need for continuous skills development and timely legal updates to keep pace with the fast-evolving fields of cybercrime and digital evidence.

This dialogue activity was organised by the DOJ-National Prosecution Service in collaboration with the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, and with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation as part of the partnership between the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service, the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, and the Hanns Seidel Foundation on the program, “Dialogue between Prosecutors and Police Investigators from the Northern Mindanao Region,” which began in the Northern Mindanao Region in 2017 and expanded to the Caraga Region in 2024.