PNP eyes creation of unit similar to proposed AFP cyber command

Western Command in Palawan holds a defense exercise for cyber-related incidents. (File photo from AFP WESCOM)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) considers the establishment of a cybersecurity division similar to the cyber command that will be operated by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group director Major General Sidney Hernia made the statement on Monday.

The plan comes, after Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported about the cyber attacks from computer hackers supposedly traced in China.

“The PNP is looking into establishing something like AFP’s cyber command,” Hernia said, partly in Filipino, during a press conference in Camp Crame in Quezon city.

Hernia added “the  PNP is looking into the possibility of establishing the cyber security center so there is focus because our anti-cybercrime [group]’s duties are more on investigation.”

The proposed AFP Cyber Command aims to exercise control over all the cyber units under the military, according to Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.

To date, AFP still has only “pockets of cybersecurity units,” Brawner said.