The Philippine National Police received a boost in its ability to solve crimes after a batch of 12 investigators took part in an audio-video consultation against cybercrime in General Santos City.
Sponsored by the US Embassy and organized under the US Antiterrorism Assistance Program, the consultation from July 23 to August 3 included lectures and extensive hands-on exercises.
A news release on the US Embassy website said the participating investigators from the PNP included those from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group from the following areas:
PNP headquarters in Quezon City Region 7 (Central Visayas) Region 9 (Zamboanga) Region 11 (Davao) Region 12 (South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos)
The consultation included lectures and extensive hands-on exercises on best practices for the acquisition of digital multimedia evidence, and collection and analysis of analog and digital video and audio.
It also included training on hardware specifications relating to analog and digital video; handling of analog and digital evidence; recovery and restoration of video evidence; and forensics and enhancements of both video and audio.
ATA Program Manager Ed Schlachter turned over software and equipment used during the training to CIDG Anti-Transnational and Cyber Crimes Chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sosa at the end of the consultation.
Digital forensics training and equipment have been given to ATA-supported CIDG Regional Cyber Forensic Labs established in General Santos, Zamboanga, Davao and Cebu.
The US Antiterrorism Assistance Program program trains civilian security and law enforcement personnel in selected countries in police antiterrorism procedures.
US Diplomatic Security officers work with foreign governments and US Embassy teams to develop effective training for bomb detection, crime scene investigation, airport and building security, maritime protections, and VIP protection. — TJD
