MANILA, Philippines — The government’s lead agency for cybercrime response is seeking nearly P900 million in funding for 2026 to scale up its assets and manpower as threats become more prevalent online.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has been allocated P480 million in funding in the proposed national budget for 2026.
However, CICC deputy executive director Renato Paraiso told The STAR that the agency would require double that amount to fund its expansion of resources for cybercrime response.
In particular, Paraiso said CICC may ask for P400 million more for the procurement of new detection tools needed by its threat monitoring system. Further, the agency aims to strengthen the capabilities of its Hotline 1326 given the proliferation of digital scams.
Paraiso said the hotline would have to hire more people to respond to the volume of complaints lodged every day.
He wants the dedicated line to get cases moving as quickly as possible to build trust, noting that Filipinos let cybercrimes pass on the assumption that reporting is futile.
The hotline, operated by CICC, serves as a dedicated channel where people can report online fraud and other cybercrimes like fake news and manipulated videos.
Moreover, Paraiso wants to use part of the budget to establish an action center where people can go to file complaints.
“We plan to put up an action center so people can just go there (to file complaints). First, this is to build awareness. Second, this is to build trust that when you report to the CICC, an action will be taken,” he said.
Based on data from anti-scam app Whoscall, online scams in the Philippines are migrating from traditional channels like calls and texts, to new outlets like chat, gambling and lending platforms. Fraudsters are also exploiting the rising popularity of online betting and loans in the country.
Reports of risky links to malicious websites spiked by 38 percent to 18,735 in the second quarter, from 13,602 in the first quarter, with scams tied to gambling surging the most. Online gambling links ballooned by 76 percent to 4,308, and the CICC is seeing this as an alarming trend.
Paraiso said his agency is finding as many as 20 illegal gambling sites daily, with most ending up blocked in Philippine domain upon review by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Also, links that promote fake incentives and promos went up by 57 percent to 4,497, still preying on some Filipinos’ desires to make easy money.
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