Asia-Pacific Police Unite to Combat Cyber Crime

Strategic Insights -

Police officials from the Asia-Pacific region have embarked on establishing close coordination to combat cyber crime, a growing security threat in the region. At a news conference to kickstart an Interpol meeting in Manila, security officials vowed to stop the use of the internet for illicit activities such as sex and drug trafficking, terrorist funding, and illegal securities trading. The officials acknowledged the need for a unified approach to address the evolving threat of cyber crime, highlighting the importance of understanding what constitutes a criminal act in the digital age.

Key Takeaways:

  • Asian countries are urged to create a database of offenses considered as criminal acts to combat cyber crime.
  • Rolando Garcia, executive director of the Philippine Center for Trans-national Crime (PCTC), emphasized the emerging nature of the cyber crime threat, which requires countries to adapt their laws and regulations accordingly.
  • Jo Gangwon of the Interpol General Secretariat noted that Asian countries are more competent in using internet technology, making them prime targets for cyber crime.
  • Asian organized crime groups are leveraging the internet to facilitate their illicit activities, including sex and drug trafficking, and illegal securities trading.
  • Only cyber pornography has been criminalized in the Philippines, with security officials lobbying Congress to expand the scope of prohibition to include illegal securities trading.
  • Delegates from 16 countries, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan, Fiji, India, and South Korea, attended the two-day summit.
  • PNP Chief Director General Arturo Lomibao stated that the meeting aims to create a safer and more peaceful environment for governments and peoples in the Asia-Pacific region to focus on economic growth and stability.

Statistics:

  • 16 countries attended the two-day Interpol meeting in Manila.
  • Only cyber pornography has been criminalized in the Philippines.
  • Security officials are lobbying Congress to criminalize illegal securities trading.
  • Asian countries use the internet more than Europeans per Jo Gangwon of the Interpol General Secretariat.
  • The Philppine Center for Trans-national Crime (PCTC) is headed by Rolando Garcia.
  • Interpol General Secretariat is represented by Jo Gangwon.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse (no date specified)
  • Philippine News Agency (16-05 1527)