Police launch ‘Angel Net’ vs child abuse, other crimes on the Web

MANILA, Philippines – A campaign to protect children against Internet fraud, cyberstalking, and other related abuses on the Web has been launched by the Philippine National Police.

Dubbed “Angel Net”, the campaign to be enforced specifically by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group would focus on saving the “angels”, said Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sosa, anti-transitional crime division head.

“The Special Project Angel Net is established purposely to address Internet based-concerns and abuses and to promote Internet safety and prevent its dangers among the children,” Police Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., CIDG chief, said of the program that was launched this Thursday.

Sosa said “Angel Net”, which was part of the PNP’s Internet Child Protection Program, would protect the minors from “Internet fraud, Internet addiction, cyber stalking, cyber bullying, cyber trafficking, child pornography, on-line gambling and other Internet-related abuses.”

“Angel Net”, which can be reached through www.cidgangelnet.ph will also offer a workshop on Internet safety for kids, Sosa said.

“Angel Net is a 24/7 operation center and website that will serve as the takeoff point to level up the PNP’s capability in fighting cybercrimes and protecting children from internet pornography and other abuses,” said Pagdilao.

The website will serve as complaint center where people can report child abuses related to the Internet, said Pagdilao.

The operation center will be equipped with computers and will be manned by trained technical operatives that will monitor and track cyber predators for their eventual arrests and prosecution in court, Pagdilao said.

“The child has a right to be assisted and protected by the state, and as an institution of the state, we are dutybound to protect them both from physical and cyberspace abuse,” said Dr. Felino Castro, Director of Management Information Systems Serviceof the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

There will also be a complaint desk for walk-in applicants which will be run by the Women’s and Children Protection Division (WCPD).

The Philippines is presently ranked seventeenth in the world with the highest number of Internet users, making the country a haven for crime on the Web, Sosa said.