Edgardo Angara on Sunday expressed belief that the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 which was recently signed by President Benigno Aquino 3rd would deter cyber crimes in the country.
Angara, chairman of the Congressional Commission of Science and Technology and Engineering (Comste) said that the new law covers a wider range of Internet-driven crimes.
“Existing laws already criminalize certain online activities but now, a wider range of Internet-driven crimes are covered,” he added.
He said that the enactment of the measure is a milestone for the booming information and communications technology (ICT)-driven economy in the country.
“This measure will deter people from committing crimes because the virtual world will no longer be a lawless realm. Its enactment sends out a strong message to the world that the Philippines is serious about keeping cyberspace safe,” he said.
The Cybercrime Prevention Act lays down a comprehensive legal framework for the detection, investigation, and suppression of cybercrimes such as hacking, identity theft, cybersquatting, illegal access, spamming, cyber-squatting, cybersex, and online child pornography.
”With this law, we hope to encourage the use of cyberspace for information, recreation, learning and commerce. By protecting all users from abuse and misuse, we enable netizens to use cyberspace more productively,” said Angara.
He said that the passage of the cybercrime bill is timely especially after the recent arrest of an estimated 400 foreigners involved in cybercrime which defrauded victims.
The Cybercrime Prevention Act, authored and sponsored by Angara, is the second consecutive ICT bill signed into law by President Aquino, following the enactment of the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173), which he also sponsored and authored.
Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/31222-new-law-to-deter-wide-range-of-cybercrimes
