The Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), in partnership with the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (UK-NCA), is conducting a two-week digital forensics training program which started on February 29 to enhance the abilities of law enforcers in understanding the process of identifying relevant and competent evidence on digital media pertinent to a live case, particularly useful for online child sexual exploitation cases. Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas, UK Ambassador Asif Ahmad, and PNP-ACG Director PSSupt Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar graced the inauguration of this training program.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad said, “Online Child Sexual Exploitation is a global issue, and the UK gives very high priority to this very serious issue. This training funded by the UK’s National Crime Agency will enable Filipino authorities to improve delivery of credible digital evidence that can be presented in court trials, resulting in more convictions.”

“We are determined to work with our partners in the Philippines to help reduce the number of lives of vulnerable children that are ruined by exploitation not just within their home communities but also by the global network of pedophiles,” Ahmad further stressed. 

The Introduction to Digital Forensics Investigation (IDFI) course will upskill law enforcement officers in the production of digital evidence for use in court through access to internationally recognized forensic software. The IDFI course, which consists of 19 modules, is being attended by representatives from DOJ-OOC, National Prosecution Service, Public Attorney’s Office, Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation.