1st cyber lab, training center in C. Visayas to rise in Cebu
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, November 22 (PIA) – Before the year ends, the first cyber laboratory and training center will rise in Central Visayas based in Cebu which is seen to boost the capability of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on addressing cyber crime cases in the Visayas Region.
Gov. Gwen Garcia who recently led the groundbreaking with CIDG Chief Police Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. on the construction of the building assured the latter it will be completed by the end of December. The project cost of P1.2M is being shouldered by the Cebu Provincial Government.
Pagdilao said that with the establishment of a modern cyber laboratory in Cebu, the CIDG is now the leading government investigation unit that has the capability to investigate crimes related to internet like cyber prostitution, internet fraud and illegal online gambling.
The CIDG’s cyber lab will be equipped with the mobile forensic equipment that include servers, software and other utilities, that the CIDG received as grant from the Department of State of the United States of America. The US Diplomatic Security's Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program (ATAP) has granted the CIDG last month some P2 Million worth of computer packages, Pagdilao added.
Cyber crime is a serious threat because cyber criminals have made the country a safe haven for their operations, Pagdilao bared.
“Many of the foreign mafias involved in cyber crime are aware of the present organizational and technical incapability of the country’s law enforcement agencies. The situation has inevitably made the country a safe haven for cyber crime operators involved in cyber pornography, cyber sex den, illegal gambling, credit card fraud and identity theft,” he said.
In response to the problem, the CIDG has beefed-up its capability with the latest technology so that police investigators can acquire the most important knowledge and latest hardware in investigating cyber crimes.
The cyber lab on the other hand, is also a big help to other law enforcement units and investigative agencies who are handling cases involving cyber crime but have no digital forensic capabilities, according to Pagdilao.
The CIDG chief expressed its gratitude to Garcia for her sincere efforts to help the CIDG augment its capability to fight criminality in Cebu and in the nearby provinces in Western Visayas region. (PIA-Cebu with PNP-CIDG PR)
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Cebu Governor spearheads trade mission to Latin America
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY November 22 (PIA) -- Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia spearheaded the Cebu delegation of local entrepreneurs and provincial legislators for a two-week trade mission in the countries ofBrazil, Chile and Argentina in Latin America.
The trip was also in light of the invitation of Chilean Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Roberto Mayorga after the latter came to Cebu and paid a courtesy visit to the Capitol.
Garcia notified that she will also be signing an agreement for the establishment of sister-province ties between Cebu province and Valparaiso, the second largest region in Chile.
With the absence of Garcia, Vice- Governor Agnes Magpale will then take charge of the province acting as Governor and Board Member Julian Daan will be then the acting Vice- Governor until the governor’s arrival on the second week of December. The group is expected to arrive on December 6.
Together with Garcia are Board Member Peter John Calderon and Board Member Wilfredo Caminero as well as officials and members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
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DOH 7 plans to set up infection control center
to stem the rise of HIV/AIDS cases in Cebu City
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, November 22 (PIA) – Plans to set up an infection control center in Cebu City with the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS cases is seriously being considered by the Department of Health (DOH) 7.
DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta said the move stemmed from the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS especially in Cebu City as the Cebu City Health Department reported 76 new cases from January to October, this year.
Majority of those who contracted the disease is Injecting drug users as Madarieta said those infected with HIV and those at high risk would be given counseling on how to prevent the spread of infection.
Health Sec. Enrique Ona previously suggested placing injecting drug users in a drug rehabilitation program to address the increasing of the number oh HIV/AIDS cases as the DOH is currently in talks with the Dangerous Drugs Board on addressing the issues on health, illegal drugs and morality.
Ona said there are reports on increasing number of incidence on HIV/AIDS among injecting drug users in other towns and cities apart from Cebu City, this is said.
When contracted, a person can expect no cure from the disease although antiretroviral drugs are given for people living with HIV to extend their years. HIV is contracted through blood transfusion, sharing of infected needles, unprotected sex and mother-to-child transmission.
Aside from injecting drug users, high risk groups included commercial sex workers, men having sex with men, and overseas workers.
Latest developments on the gravity of the HIV/AIDS incidence in the region down to Cebu and government interventions will be discussed in tomorrow’s Kapihan sa PIA at the DOH-7. (PIA-Cebu)