A major stride towards fortifying the country’s digital landscape was recently made as Scam Watch Pilipinas (#ScamWatchPH) solidified a partnership with the Department of Information, Communication and Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to address the growing issue of cyber fraud.

The strategic partnership was cemented through a covenant signing at the National Cybercrime Hub, formally recognizing institutionalizing #ScamWatchPH as a national citizen movement and a key government arm in promoting cyber safety.

Founded by Manila Bulletin (MB) and startup reputation management brand Truth360, #ScamWatchPH dedicates its resources to arming Filipinos with crucial knowledge to defend themselves against online scams while leveraging CICC's tools for preventing and suppressing cybercrime.

Photo shows #ScamWatchPH co-lead convenors Art Samniego and Jocel de Guzman, CICC Executive Director Usec. Alexander Ramos, Office of the President Senior Deputy Secretary Atty. Hubert Guevera, CICC’s Hon. Justice Andres Reyes Jr. and NTC Director Atty. Andres Castelar Jr.

Aside from representatives from DICT, CICC, NTC, Manila Bulletin, and Truth360, the historic event was witnessed by Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara from the Office of the President and retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes.

DICT Secretary Atty. Ivan John Uy hailed the signing as a milestone, saying “This is an initiative that marks our collective efforts to safeguard and empower our communities. Here, we unite the public as well as the private sectors to collaborate with our common vision to raise awareness against the never-ending tactics of scammers.”

“Oras na para magising. Oras na para matuto. Oras na para lumahok,” Uy urged as he praised the continuous efforts of Scam Watch Pilipinas' founders and the CICC in raising online scam awareness.

CICC's Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Ramos also noted that #ScamWatchPH would boost the CICC's cybercrime prevention initiatives.

“With this movement, we want the public to wake up because there is hope so as not to become a victim. We want the public to report to stop cybercrime because we have the technology to help the people. We have also the PNP and NBI in the field to help us with enforcement,” Ramos said, encouraging everyone to report cybercrime incidents via CICC's hotline 1326.

Meanwhile, the co-lead convenors of #ScamWatchPH underlined the pivotal role of education and awareness campaigns in this battle.

“The breadth and depth of online fraudulent activities have become alarmingly complex, from phishing scams that lure individuals into revealing sensitive information to sophisticated schemes involving fake e-commerce sites. In the face of this digital threat, comprehensive initiatives like #ScamWatchPH become pivotal in responding to the risks and preemptively engaging them,” Manila Bulletin Technology Editor Art Samaniego stated. “This initiative aims to instill a culture of constant vigilance by offering practical advice on identifying scams and promoting skepticism towards unsolicited messages.”

Truth360 Founder and President Jocel De Guzman added that the movement's objective is “to bring the government’s cybersecurity initiatives that can help victims of cyber fraud to the public through consistent information dissemination campaign. We also want to protect the customers and clients of our brand partners by having a unified cybersecurity messaging approach.”

With this partnership, a new era of digital vigilance begins, ensuring a comprehensive and proactive stance against the rising tide of online threats.

Follow and like facebook.com/ScamWatchPilipinas to stay informed about scams.