National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Jaime Santiago says his office will prioritize the fight against cybercrime during an interview with reporters at the Department of Justice building in Manila on Monday (March 24, 2025). He said the NBI is also coordinating with the other government offices to address the issue of fake news. (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is boosting its fight against cybercrime with the help of its newest batch of agents, NBI Director Jaime Santiago announced on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Santiago said the 52nd batch of the NBI Academy consists of 44 agents—32 lawyers, 10 accountants, and two licensed criminologists—who will undergo specialized training in information technology (IT) forensics. The training will be conducted by Australian experts under an existing memorandum of agreement.
“The Australians are highly capable when it comes to tackling cybercrime,” Santiago noted.
He emphasized the growing prevalence of cybercrime, describing it as a global trend that demands proactive and adaptive measures.
“Crimes today are increasingly cyber-related. This is the new reality, not just in the Philippines, but across the world. That’s why we need to stay ahead and continuously advance our capabilities to combat cybercrime,” he added.
Santiago also shared that the NBI is collaborating with international law enforcement bodies such as the Australian Federal Police, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. These partnerships play a key role in analyzing electronic devices seized from cybercrime suspects.
In addition to cybercrime, the NBI is working to combat the spread of fake news. Santiago said the bureau is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and other government agencies to address the issue.
“We’ve had discussions with other agencies on how we can put an end to fake news dissemination—whether it’s from bloggers or content creators who spread false or misleading information,” he said.
He also raised concerns about what appears to be an organized effort behind the surge in disinformation, noting that many fake news pieces seem to follow similar themes and narratives.
“We’re investigating why this is happening and why the messaging appears coordinated. These narratives often exploit the country’s political climate, which could cause confusion and unrest among the public,” Santiago warned.