10/11/2025
๐๐๐-๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has strengthened its drive against digital financial crimes with the launch of its Cybersecurity and Fintech Handbook and the renewal of its partnership with GCash. The event also introduced the Scam Assistance Hub, a project aimed at facilitating the quick and easy filing of scam reports through a simple QR Code. These major initiatives are targeted to complement law enforcement efforts in addressing emerging cyber fraud and scams for more timely and coordinated action.
The PNP-ACG and GCash renewed their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), first signed in 2022, which established a framework for cooperation on cybersecurity awareness, capability-building, and information sharing.
This reaffirms the shared commitment of both institutions to handle financial cybercrimes and to strengthen consumer protection amid the continued growth of digital payments.
โFinancial technology continues to evolve, and with it, the methods used by cybercriminals,โ said Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information and Security Officer at GCash. โWe at GCash are honored to support the PNP-ACG in enhancing the capabilities of law enforcers through education. By sharing fintech-specific use cases, we aim to help build a more informed response force against digital financial threats.โ
๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ
The Cybersecurity and Fintech Handbook was created in partnership with GCash to complement the efforts of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) and ACG personnel by outlining key trends and schemes in financial cybercrime. Specifically, the handbook features modules on cybersecurity frameworks, cybercrime laws, financial investigations, fintech systems, and cryptocurrency fundamentals, ensuring officers are better equipped to address todayโs digital crime challenges.
โThese initiatives are a collective step forward in our continuing effort to protect Filipinos in the digital space,โ said Brig. Gen. Bernard R. Yang, Director of the PNP-ACG. โThrough strategic collaborations and timely learning tools, we are building a law enforcement force that is ready to address todayโs emerging cyber threats.โ
Other key officials present at the ceremonial event were PNP ACG Chief Investigative Officer PCol Jay D. Guillermo, GCash Chief Information and Security Officer Miguel Geronilla, GCash Public Affairs Manager Mabel M. Niala, and GCash External Affairs Manager Jerome C. Lantin.
The handbook will be rolled out to regional units via virtual assemblies and video modules, aligning with the PNPโs ongoing modernization strategy and the national governmentโs National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023โ2028. Developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the NCSP sets the policy direction for a secure and resilient cyberspace in the Philippines.
This joint effort also comes on the heels of the recently released Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), a new law passed in July 2024 aimed at curbing online scams and fraudulent financial activities.
The AFASA targets key financial crimes such as social engineering scams and money muling, while also empowering institutions like the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to investigate suspicious financial activities. The Cybersecurity and Fintech Handbook seeks to help reinforce these regulatory updates by helping frontline police better understand and enforce provisions under AFASA.
๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ซ ๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐๐
The event also marked the introduction of the Scam Assistance Hub (SAH), a new platform that simplifies scam reporting for the public.
The SAH QR code connects users to the GCash SAH website, a platform where victims of online scams can file police reports, receive assistance, and process documentation for claims under GCashโs Express Send Scam Insurance.
This initiative ensures a more coordinated response between the PNP-ACG and GCash in handling fraud complaints and supporting affected users.
๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐-๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐
These efforts complement the PNP-ACGโs broader public education and prevention campaigns designed to build digital literacy among both law enforcement and the general public.
โTechnology will continue to evolve, and criminals will continue to adapt,โ Brig. Gen. Yang added. โThese initiatives will help in the long journey of strengthening our cyber defenses. What matters is that we are moving forward together with stronger capabilities, a clearer direction, and a deeper resolve.โ
The group reminded that while the SAH QR Code is still being prepared for deployment, any incidents of cybercrime and fraud can still be reported via the PNP-ACGโs hotline 1326 or via GCashโs app Help Center or through any of the official customer support channels. The public may also follow PNP-ACGโs official social media pages for updates on its ongoing efforts to fight cybercrime and promote digital security nationwide.
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๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ก
GCash is the Philippinesโ #1 Finance Super App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. Its mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only $5 billion unicorn in the Philippines.
GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.