Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has welcomed the addition of the Philippines to the list of countries that are now parties to the Convention on Cybercrime or the Budapest Convention- a global initiative to combat crimes being perpetrated on the internet.
With the accession, the Philippines would be joining 56 other countries, which through the Budapest Convention, will be cooperating on the detection, investigation and prosecution of cybercrime at both the domestic and international levels.
The Senate on February 19 approved the Budapest Convention which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte signed on December 9, 2016.
“Our accession to the Convention will level the playing field between the Philippines and foreign counterparts in pursuing a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of society against cybercrimes,” Aguirre said in a statement.
“Indeed, it is a most welcome development. Thank you President Duterte and thank you to the senators who supported this milestone undertaking,” Aguirre added. /muf