The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it is not surprising that many of today’s online scammers are Filipinos who previously worked for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

To respond to the growing threat, the DICT is training more than 230,000 police officers in cybersecurity and digital crime detection.

“But I won’t be surprised, kasi nawala ‘yung POGO, deba so nag-divert sila to other ventures such as financial crime, ‘yung mga hacking, etcetera. So I wouldn’t be surprised with that statement by that PNP (But I won’t be surprised, because POGOs disappeared, right? So they diverted to other ventures such as financial crime, hacking, etcetera. So I wouldn’t be surprised with that statement by that PNP),” DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda told the media in Quezon City on Thursday, June 26.

“Doon sa comment nila, I suppose they have basis for that, but personally, I have not seen the data (Regarding their comment, I suppose they have basis for that, but personally, I have not seen the data).”

Aguda was referring to a statement made earlier by Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang, director of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, who said many of the suspects recently arrested for online scamming had picked up the skills while working in POGOs.

In response to the rising threat of cybercrime, the DICT is ramping up its collaboration with the PNP.

“Kanina kausap ko lang ang PNP Technology Team… We’re collaborating closely with them on three things. One, on the critical infrastructure. Second, upskilling and training. And third, any assistance we can give them on their ISSP, ‘yung Information Systems Strategic Plan nila (Earlier I was talking with the PNP Technology Team… We’re collaborating closely with them on three things. One, on the critical infrastructure. Second, upskilling and training. And third, any assistance we can give them on their ISSP, their Information Systems Strategic Plan),” said Aguda.

The agency is providing training and certifications across the PNP, he added.

“We’re extending all the trainings and certifications to as many as the 230,000 plus PNP officials (We’re extending all the trainings and certifications to as many as the 230,000 plus PNP officials),” he stated.

The DICT underscored that boosting digital skills within law enforcement is now a critical step in responding to increasingly sophisticated forms of cybercrime, especially as former POGO-linked operations shift into fraudulent online activities.