PNP shares holiday safety and survival tips; guarantees 3-5 minutes quick response after dialing 911

The Office of Communications and Electronics Services (CES) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) shared safety and survival tips for citizens during this hectic season of short and long trips, and merrymaking.

PNP now responds to emergency calls in 3-5 minutes as commitment to DILG’s Revitalized 911 program

Philippine National Police (PNP) responders now arrive on the scene in less than five minutes.

Police Brigadier General Warren Gaspar A. Tolito, Director of the PNP Communications and Electronics Service (CES) shared the good news that over 90% of all Police 911 calls can now be responded to in record response time.

BSP, PNP, DILG nab counterfeiting suspect with the help of GCash

A man who used counterfeit money to sell fake money bouquets to his victims was recently arrested in a joint operation of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Interior and Local Government, with the support of GCash.

PNP, GCash nab 4 police officers for robbery and extortion

Four uniformed personnel from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) were recently arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP), aided by the popular finance app GCash,  following complaints reported by detainees of alleged robbery and extortion in exchange for their release without charges.

Global Law Enforcers Seek Trend Micro’s Help in Taking Down Top Ransomware Threat Group LockBit

Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, today revealed its critical role in helping global law enforcement partners disrupt mega-ransomware group LockBit, and kill the viability of its long-term malware plans. Through undercover infiltration, Trend helped prevent the release of the group’s next malware products and automatically installed protection for Trend Micro customers, even before the group themselves had finished testing.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Robert McArdle, a leader in Trend Micro’s cybercrime research team and collaborator with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and National Crime Agency (NCA), said: “We are honored that our threat intelligence is uniquely valuable to global law enforcement in the shared mission to make the world safer.”

This group was responsible for about 25 percent* of all ransomware leaks in 2023 and caused billions of dollars in losses for thousands of global victims over the past four years. Due to the potential damage that this group can cause, the Philippine National Police (PNP) last year warned Filipinos about LockBit and recommended several cyber hygiene practices to avoid becoming a victim to the group.

McArdle continued, “Last week Trend secured global Microsoft users from a critical vulnerability and this week we were a part of dethroning the most critical threat actor group in the world. Now, insiders aren’t naïve enough to assume this will eliminate the crime group, but we know that no sane criminal would want to be involved with this group again.”

Details from behind the scenes are unfolding and include cryptocurrency seizure, arrests, indictments, imposing sanctions and additional technical support for victims. The operation took over LockBit’s leak site, disclosing information and personal identities of group members and details of their previous works. These actions essentially make the group unwelcome and untrusted in the cybercrime world—and therefore unviable as an underground business.

Ransomware is one of the most serious cyber threats facing organizations today, known for disrupting schools, hospitals, governments, and businesses and imperiling critical national infrastructure. It does all of this while lining the pockets of a few small cybercrime groups: last year, victims paid over $1 billion to these groups and their affiliates, a record figure.

This work ultimately supported the following outcomes:

• Trend’s delivery of protection in advance against LockBit-NG-Dev for its customers.
• The neutralization of a potentially prolific strain of ransomware—preventing its use in future enterprises these actors may look to run.
• A law enforcement operation that will hopefully see the end of LockBit as we know it and sets a new benchmark for international collaboration across law enforcement and private partners.

While LockBit was, without doubt, the largest and most impactful Ransomware operation globally, this disruption makes it very clear that all criminal affiliates should strongly reconsider any involvement with them in the future and that in partnering with this organization, these associates have put themselves at increased risk of law enforcement action.

A blog covering the findings from Trend’s analysis of the next version of LockBit ransomware malware was issued by NCA and can be accessed here: https://research.trendmicro.com/lockbit-blog.

*Based on Trend Micro analysis and tracking of ransomware leak sites, LockBit accounted for approximately 25 percent of all ransomware leaks in 2023.

PLDT-Smart Foundation tops up educational grant for PNP dependents

Dependents of Filipino police officers killed or injured in service receive a P1-million educational grant from PLDT-Smart Foundation, now on its 12th year, with the aim of providing college educational opportunities. The PSF has so far produced 639 scholars through the Educational Assistance Program. 

PNP to acquire state-of-the-art 3M ballistic helmets in line with modernization program

The ten-year modernization program of the Philippine National Police gained more traction recently with the ceremonial turnover of an enhanced combat helmet and tactical protective eyewear for the police force at the flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame held early October.