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ONLINE ACTIONS MATTER

Attorney pushes journalists to uphold Cybercrime Law amidst rising digital threats

Technical Drafting | News Writer

News Highlights:

• An attorney urged campus journalists to uphold the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, stressing that online actions can affect a person’s future, reputation, and freedom.

• Cybercrime is now widespread and serious, with seven out of ten individuals experiencing digital violations such as cyberbullying, hacking, identity theft, and online libel.

• R.A. 10175 serves as both protection and accountability, reminding young users to practice respect, truth, and responsibility in everything they post online.

SURALLAH, South Cotabato—An Attorney-at-law emphasized the importance of Republic Act (R.A.) 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, to campus journalists, highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime in the digital age.

Gilbert M. Dela Cerna, an Attorney, explained during the live coverage of Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) 2026 that while the  advancements in technology have made daily life more convenient it also serves as a powerful reminder that what you do online can influence your future, your esteem, and even your personal privilege.

“Technology has made life easier.. It reminds us one important truth, your action online can affect your future, reputation and even your freedom,” he stated.

While explaining why the R.A. 10175 was made, he further elaborated that technology may also be used in ways that cause harm, like offending others, sharing misinformation, taking information without permission and many more.

“Technology can also be abused, like insulting others, spreading fake news, stealing information, and others,” Dela Cerna affirmed.

As a result, the government enacted Republic Act No. 10175 to safeguard citizens, with assistance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Because of this [Technology abuse], the government passed the R.A 10175 to protect people, helped by the Department of Justice and Philippine National Police,” he added.

According to the DOJ, the State recognizes the importance of providing an environment conducive to the development, acceleration, and rational application and exploitation of information and communications technology (ICT) to attain free, easy, and intelligible access to exchange and/or delivery of information; and the need to protect and safeguard the integrity of computer, computer and communications systems, networks, and databases, and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and data stored therein, from all forms of misuse, abuse, and illegal access by making punishable under the law such conduct or conducts.

Read More: Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

Cybercrime is a growing digital threat

The Law Practitioner asserted that digital freedom must always be paired with accountability, reminding young journalists that online actions are never without consequences.

He stressed that cybercrime refers to illegal acts committed through a computer, cellphone, or the internet, adding that many of these violations are already covered under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Under the law, cybercrime includes cyberbullying and online harassment, online libel, hacking, identity theft, and cybersex or online exploitation.

Read More: Cyber Libel

He also described hacking as entering another person’s account without permission, and identity theft as using someone else’s name or picture.

“Ako din may ibang gumawa ng acc, ginamit yung picture ko yung pangalan ko so ine-report ko na yun,” he cited as an example.

He also mentioned cases involving public figures, including “yung issue kay Gold Medalist na pinost,” to show how online actions can quickly escalate into legal matters.

According to him, seven out of ten individuals experience some form of cybercrime violation, showing how common digital abuse has become.

“These violations are not a joke. They are crimes,” he warned.
“Pwede kang ma-fine, pwede ring makulong,” he added.

He further cautioned that one careless post could cost a person future opportunities, emphasizing that what people share today may still be seen by their teachers, employers, and even future families.

R.A. 10175 as legal protection and accountability

Dela Cerna urged students to practice digital responsibility, reminding them that freedom online comes with responsibility.

“Ask yourself, is this true, is this respectful, is this necessary, and will you be proud of it?” he said.

He highlighted three guiding pillars for digital behavior: Respect, Truth, and Opportunities, stressing that every post is a choice that can either protect or destroy one’s future.

Dela Cerna advised victims of online abuse to seek help from authorities, particularly the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which handles cybercrime complaints.

He also emphasized the importance of guidance for minors, saying that young users must be supervised online and encouraged to report violations.

“Your future depends on your digital behavior,” he concluded. “What you click today affects your tomorrow.”