AMID a real gargantuan task, new Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) director, Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang has vowed a quality anti-cybercrime drive across the country which remains a prime target for attacks by foreign criminals and other entities to enable Filipinos to have a much safer cyberspace round-the-clock.

“We will implement a comprehensive Anti-Cybercrime Policing Framework to elevate the quality of service we provide to the community,” said Yang as he assumed the top PNP-ACG post last December 23.

A member of PNP Academy ‘Patnubay’ Class of 1995, Yang was the erstwhile Southern Police District director before he was designated by PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil as the new PNP-ACG director.

“To the Chief,PNP, Sir, I pledge to you that I will do my very best here in the Anti-Cybercrime Group. Thank you for your trust and confidence,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Yang is no stranger to his new job since he has served as chiefs of various units and offices in PNP-ACG since 2013 until 2017. His last position at the unit was Deputy Director for Operations in 2021.

The official said destiny really had something to do with the unit he loves the most even as he called on his officers and men to join him in realizing his vision for the organization.

He said the anti-cybercrime policing framework he wants in the unit encompasses the development of cutting-edge cyber defenses to enhance ACG’s cybersecurity infrastructure, ensuring a swift and efficient response by ACG personnel to cyber threats and incidents.

Additionally, it emphasizes the establishment of sustainable partnerships to foster collaboration with local and international law enforcement agencies, private sector experts, and academic institutions.

“I want all these changes to happen during the course of my term here, so that our mission to serve and protect will be clearly delivered and enjoyed by the people,” Brig. Gen. Yang said.

The official has been tasked to lead the PNP unit which addresses all forms of cybercrimes including identity theft, phishing, credit card fraud, online selling and investment scams, ransomware and data loss and theft of intellectual property.

Brig. Gen. Yang said he really envisions the PNP-ACG to become the Best National Operational Support Unit in the police force by having the ‘best, state-of-the-art facility and world-class training in cybersecurity and digital forensics.’

“I firmly believe that the quality of training we provide will reflect in the level of service our men will offer to the community. I envision ACG achieving a high crime solution rate. I want to see the highest crime prosecution rates during our time as well as significant progress in the arrest of wanted persons,” Brig. Gen. Yang declared.

In his marching order to his men, the official asked them to perform their tasks legally, ‘never making cheap and shabby intel work that will malign the image of the police. I will not buy sleazy tactics. No short cuts,” he emphasized.

Brig. Gen. Yang also said he wants the PNP-ACG to be the cleanest office and personnel in the PNP. “All offices and surroundings must be immaculately clean and all police personnel must be well-groomed. I want respect and dignity for every policeman in this group which you individual and as a highly-regarded team must earn and will learn,” he added.

The official also announced he will create an internal communications group similar to what he implemented in his former unit: the Southern Police District, to monitor the flow of work, from city and provincial anti-cybercrime teams to the regional office up to the national headquarters and from one division to another, to ensure correspondences move immediately.

Brig. Gen. Yang said that by building cutting-edge cyber defenses, they will strengthen the ACG’s cybersecurity infrastructure by adopting advanced technologies and strategies.

“This includes investing in state-of-the art security tools, threat detection systems and world-class training for our personnel,” he said.

“As you receive capability enhancement, I expect ACG personnel to respond swiftly to cyber-threats and incidents. We will developed a swift and coordinated response mechanism for cyber threats and incidents. This involves creating dedicated cyber response teams, establishing clear protocols and enhancing the capacity to handle real-time cyber threats and incidents, minimizing damage and recovery time,” he added.

The official also pushed for sustainable partnership with both local and international law enforcement agencies, private sector expects and academic institutions in order to gain access to broader resources and share intelligence to stay ahead of emerging cybercrime trends.

“This anti-cybercrime policing framework focuses on proactive defense, swift response and collaboration to combat cybercrime effectively,” he said.