BPI partners with PNP, DOJ to enhance cybercrime defense in Metro Manila

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), together with relevant government and private partners, successfully conducted the National Capital Region (NCR) leg of its flagship cybersecurity capacity-building program, BPI Cyberacademy 2025: Strengthening Cyber Capacity for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors.

Held from December 3 to 4 at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City, the two-day learning session was co-organized by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), and the Department of Justice–Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC).

The training session brought together more than 70 officers from the Southern Police District’s (SPD) Anti-Cybercrime Group, representatives from the PNP-ACG, and prosecutors from across Metro Manila. This initiative underscores the Bank’s commitment to enhancing national cyber readiness through sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“CyberAcademy is designed to strengthen collaboration—bringing private financial institutions and concerned government agencies into one shared space where we can understand each other’s roles, exchange insights, and build a more seamless and coordinated response to financial cybercrime,” said Elena Torrijos, BPI’s Head of Public Affairs & Communications.

Other key participants include incoming DICT official Julius Gorospe, PNP-ACG Acting Director PBGen. Wilson Asueta, SPD Director PBGen. Randy Arceo, SPD Anti-Cybercrime team lead PLtCol Adrian Tolingan, PLtCol Jun Jun Daguro from the Digital Forensic Unit of the PNP’s Cryptocurrency Section, and DOJ-OOC State Counsel Atty. Kershien Bautista.

PNP-ACG Acting Director PBGen. Wilson Asueta emphasized strengthening law enforcement’s cyber capacity through partnerships like BPI Cyberacademy, which unite cybersecurity experts, law enforcers, prosecutors, and the financial sector to boost collaboration and readiness.

“It really helps us strengthen our political resolve in building a safer and more resilient cyberspace in our country,” said Asueta, as he urged cops during the training to “put into action” what they learned. 

DICT’s Gorospe echoed this view, stressing that cybersecurity is a whole-of-nation effort that requires joint action from both public and private institutions. 

“DICT fully supports initiatives that bring together banks, investigators, prosecutors, and regulators to build a stronger collective defense against digital threats and safeguard our people, economy, and digital future,” said Gorospe. 

Prior to the NCR leg, BPI CyberAcademy was held in Cebu from November 27 to 28, the program’s first regional run.

Launched in partnership with DOJ-OOC in 2023, BPI CyberAcademy is a pioneering program that equips law enforcement and prosecutors with technical knowledge and practical skills to combat financial cybercrime. Through collaborative training, the program aims to build a unified, proactive defense against online fraud and digital threats.