In an effort to improve the cybercrime prevention practices of Saint Louis University (SLU) community, the Philippine National Police (PNP) spearheaded the Anti-Cybercrime Caravan at the Fr. Francis Gevers Hall, SLU Main Campus on 10 April 2026.
Aimed also at providing a general overview of the national plan for cybersecurity, the event was organized by the SLU Data Protection Office (DPO) and Information Systems & Technology Service Department (ISTSD) in partnership with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, Asia-Pacific Data Privacy Organization (APDPO), and the Community Health Education Emergency Health Services Online (CHEERS).
To formally begin the event, Head of the DPO and ISTSD, Cecilia A. Mercado, PhD, underscored how each piece of information that people share online carries both opportunities and risks. “In an age where technology continues to shape how we learn, and how we collect, cybersecurity is no longer a technical concern. It is a shared responsibility,” Dr. Mercado stressed.
Following Dr. Mercado, Ms. Marie Grace (Magie) Antonio from the APDPO outlined the Philippines as part of a world living in a time of global connectivity, saying “Information is the currency of the modern criminal. Any cybercrime begins with a breach of privacy. When your personal data is unprotected, you become a target.” She further emphasized that the current world crisis is seen by some not as a call for solidarity, but rather an opportunity for fraud, which puts into perspective the significance of the Anti-Cybercrime Caravan.
Dr. Sandy Montano from CHEERS went on to expand the topics presented, zoning in on the protection of the elderly, as they are often targets of online financial exploitation. Dr. Montano highlighted the event’s importance and purpose in bridging the digital safety gap. She cited the isolation of seniors as prone to exploitation, as the need for connection is targeted by certain individuals in order to manipulate their targets into giving up crucial personal data and information.
Kickstarting a more in-depth discussion of cybersecurity and an introduction to the PNP’s Anti Cybercrime Group (ACG), Chief of the Cybercrime Security Unit Police Colonel (PCOL) Alexander Lorenzo took the podium as he tackled the state of cybersecurity in the nation and the background of the department. He was very sure to point out that cybersecurity threats are usually very hard to detect and take some time before they are prevalent.
PCOL Lorenzo outlined the ACG’s cybersecurity plan, which included proactive protection and security, increased cybersecurity workforce capabilities, and strengthened cybersecurity policy frameworks. As online threats become more and more diverse each day, he cited the need for defense against these to also be dynamic and flexible. As an example, they have established reactionary teams in each major city, including Baguio.
“Meron din po tayong ilulunsad na mga force multipliers na tutulong sa ACG– young professionals na willing to help ACG in the fight against cybercrime,”(“We are also launching force multipliers to help ACG–young professionals willing to help ACG in the fight against cybercrime”) PCOL Lorenzo said in response to other initiatives by the PNP, highlighting the younger generations’ role in the push against cybercrime. In the interview he goes on to point out that the cybercrime trends surrounding students come from a variety of kinds including bomb threats and fraudulent emails, which he attributes to certain cases of radicalization.
Police Lieutenant (PLT) Anthony Mar Baldeo Keh, Team Leader of the Cyber Incident Response Section expounded the discussion by diving more into the specifics of cybercrimes and the nature of the crimes as it is in the country. He talked about the most prevalent cyber crimes in the country, the most vulnerable sectors, the different types of modus operandi and the nature of the attacks, along with the diverse social engineering that takes advantage of victims. During his talk, he gave tips and reminders for participants in the effort of protecting personal information and data, even giving a few open-source tools that help, which Keh demonstrated during the event.
Wrapping up the discussions, Professor Engels Antonio, Chairman of the PNP-Information Technology Management Service Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (PNP-ITMS-AGPTD) introduced the “I Am Speaking” online help desk, which he says cybercrime victims who have issues about police response can use to lobby their concerns. He stressed that the last thing cybercrime victims need is an indifferent or dismissive response from the police force. “A victim deserves empathy. We first address their feelings,” Prof. Antonio said.
Concluding the event, Atty. Brian Jonathan T. Paraan, SLU Sacred Heart Medical Center (SHMC) Legal Officer gave his closing remarks, restating the significance of the event, “Especially sa atin na nandito sa ospital at sa University, hindi natin impormasyon ang hawak natin kundi impormasyon ng mga estudyante at mga pasyente. Sana sa araw na ito ay maalala po natin na mas mag-ingat at mas pahalagahan ang impormasyon na ating hawak at ang duty, our obligation na binigay ng Saint Louis (University) over this information.
(Especially to those of us here at the hospital and University, we do not own the information we hold, the information belongs to the students and patients. Hopefully, today, we remember to better care for and value the information we carry and our duty and obligation given by Saint Louis [University] over this information.”)
The afternoon following the event was left for potential consultations that participants or staff might have for the ACG, as they continued to stay in Gevers hall. SLU’s participation in PNP’s Anti-cybercrime caravan continues to sustain the University’s dedication to building a solid educational institution, as reflected with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). (Article by Kemm Mitchell Olarte, Photos by Mariam Qatarina Santos)
