Trillanes wants comprehensive policy to fight cyber crimes

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV has introduced a bill that seeks the establishment of a comprehensive policy framework that would put into place the necessary regulations to fight and prevent cyber crimes.

In Senate Bill No. 14, Trillanes wants to impose stiff penalties against perpetrators of cyber crimes, who could face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of P800,000.

Trillanes noted that: "Information and communications technologies have revolutionized our lifestyle." He added that: "Information and communications technology enhances and promotes efficiency in facilitating the exchange and delivery of information. The introduction of computers and computer networks facilitated faster and better data storage, information exchange and communications. Computers also helped improve banking, telecommunications, engineering and data handling."

Trillanes pointed out: "However, despite such advances... a new breed of deviants, new forms of criminals and criminal activities arose such from unauthorized acquisition of vital and confidential information by third parties seeking to profit or benefit from the utilization of such information."

"There is a need for the Philippines to have a law that will define cyber crimes, identify punishable acts involving computers with corresponding penalties, determine legal procedures for the investigation and prosecution of cyber crimes, clarify jurisdictions, provide for a clause on mutual assistance and cooperation, and identify a local body that shall be responsible for providing 24/7 assistance to foreign entities in the resolution of cyber crime cases" Trillanes concluded.

The proposed legislation seeks to categorize and define certain acts as "cyber crimes", including:

• Computer crimes, defined as any act committed by means of electronic operations that targets the security of computer or communications systems or network and the data they process, such as but not limited to illegal access, illegal interception, misuse of devices and unsolicited commercial communications;

• Computer sabotage including data interference, system interference, computer fraud and computer forgery; and -

• Computer facilitated crimes including offenses related to cybersex, child pornography, trafficking, prostitution and solicitation.

Trillanes' proposal also seeks the creation of Computer Emergency Response Council (CERC) under the Office of the President whose task is to formulate and implement a national plan of action to address and combat cyber crime.

The senator also wants the government to forge cooperation with other countries for the purpose of detection, investigation and prosecution of computer crime-related offenses.

"It is hoped that thru the passage of this bill, cyber criminals will be discouraged from engaging in these illegal act. The passage of this bill will send a clear signal to the international community that our country is serous in combating cyber crimes," Trillanes said.