DOJ, NU ink MOA to beef up fight vs. cybercrimes

FILE: Vitaliano Aguirre II (PCOO Photo)

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National University (NU) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in a bid to educate the youth and strengthen the fight against all forms of cybercrimes.

“We realized milestone in cybercrime history in the country with this MOA signing. I commend both the DOJ-Office of Cybercrime and National University for being active components of this laudable synergy of commitment and efforts,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said.

Aguirre, together with NU president Teodoro Ocampo, signed the MOA in a simple ceremony at the DOJ main office in Manila.

“The distaff side of technological advancement is the threat it brings for those in pursuit of their evil designs. Nonetheless, I assure everyone that the DOJ is doing everything to protect its people from this cybercrime threat,” Aguirre added.

He admitted that the department’s cybercrime unit cannot fight this alone as he expressed gratitude to NU as “Partner for Change.”

“We admit that we cannot be in this fight alone. We need the help of each and everyone. It is for this reason that we would like to thank the National University as a “Partner for Change.” You have our reassurance that your efforts will not go to waste,” Aguirre noted.

Under the agreement, the DOJ can access the NU’s digital forensic laboratory and research materials upon the compliance with the university’s policy on the use of facilities by off-campus personnel; the DOJ shall provide lecturers and resource speakers for the overview of cybercrime law, to develop understanding implications of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; and NU students can undergo on-job-trainee in DOJ.

“We want to equip our young students with the requisite expertise to be a tomorrow’s army of anti-cybercrime professionals. We are investing in our youth. Let us educate our children on how we can combat cybercrime and make a better generation ahead,” Aguirre said.

He added that students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science-Major in Digital Forensics would become agency’s young anti-cybercrime agents.

“As early as now, I am congratulating you, and at the same time challenging you, on how you can maximize this blessing as an anti-cybercrime warrior,” the DOJ chief said. (PNA)