Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) will invest in digital literacy programs for its personnel to ensure that they are equipped to address the growing threat of online financial fraud, particularly involving e-wallet accounts. "We must equip our personnel with the necessary skills not only to keep up but to be ahead of cybercriminals at all times," acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez issued the statement after operatives from the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), on Jan. 21, arrested eight individuals in a coordinated nationwide operation in Quezon City, Davao Oriental and Manila. The suspects were reportedly engaged in the online sale of e-wallet accounts, an activity frequently associated with cyber fraud and digital scams.

"This case of eight individuals is just the tip of the iceberg," Nartatez said, emphasizing that the scale of these networks requires a more tech-savvy police force. At present, the PNP is working closely with financial technology companies and community groups to educate the public on safe online practices.

Recently, the PNP-ACG partnered with online lender JuanHand to protect borrowers from cybercrime and scams. The collaboration, the PNP said, will focus on public awareness campaigns, consumer education on safe borrowing, and identifying predatory lending schemes. Initiatives include information sharing, training programs, and workshops on evolving cyber threats.