Only 17% of cybercrime plaints in Iloilo City reach the courts

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Philippine National Police Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 6 recorded 123 cybercrime-related complaints in Iloilo City in 2025.

However, only 21 cases, or 17%, were filed in court.

Ten cases were filed through inquest proceedings, while 11 were filed through regular filing, the unit said.

Lt. Col. Richard Adonis Habawel, RACU-6 regional director, said most complaints involved online selling scams that fall under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, or swindling/estafa.

He said some complainants did not pursue criminal charges after learning how “tedious” the process can be.

“Others have lost interest, especially if the amount involved is not that big,” he said.

Habawel said the unit also recorded 12 complaints for violations of Republic Act 8484, or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998, involving the use of credit cards, debit cards, account numbers, PINs, and similar tools in fraudulent activities such as counterfeiting, skimming, and hacking.

Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code ranked third with 10 complaints, the unit said.

Article 282 covers threats to inflict a crime on a person, honor, or property, including threats involving conditions or demands.

The unit also recorded seven complaints for violations of Republic Act 9484, or the Philippine Dental Act of 2007.

Other complaints involved alleged violations of Republic Act 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and Republic Act 9995, the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.

The list also included Republic Act 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.

Other reported violations included Article 285 of the Revised Penal Code, or grave coercion, and Article 287, or unjust vexation.

Police also recorded complaints citing Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code, or robbery with intimidation of persons.

The unit also cited Republic Act 7183, the Firecracker Law, and Republic Act 11934, the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Act.

Other listed laws included Republic Act 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, and Presidential Decree 1727, the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.

The unit also recorded complaints citing Republic Act 9175, the Chainsaw Act of 2002.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, RACU-6 opened the Iloilo City Cyber Response Team office, co-located at Iloilo City Police Station 2 in the La Paz district.

Habawel said the satellite office is part of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group’s program to make services more accessible in local communities.

In Iloilo City, Lt. Darius Alinsasaguin, a RACU-6 digital forensic examiner, will lead the response team.

The office can be reached through mobile number 0991-743-9777, email at iloilocitycyberresponseteam@gmail.com, or the Facebook page Iloilo City Cyber Response Team.

RACU-6 previously opened another office in Antique, Habawel said.

Habawel said the unit hopes to open offices in Iloilo province, Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras to expand public access to cyber response services.

He said the lack of personnel with technical knowledge and expertise in cybercrime has hampered expansion.

Ideally, each police station should have at least two cybercrime investigators, Habawel said.

Habawel said the unit plans to train more investigators soon.

Col. Wilbert Parilla, Iloilo City Police Office officer in charge, said the presence of the Iloilo City Cyber Response Team is timely given the number of cybercrime cases.

He said cybercrime complaints have exceeded those involving theft and robbery.

Parilla said they want more trained anti-cybercrime personnel at the station level.