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The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it will help in tracking down the perpetrators behind the leak of sensitive personal data of investigators of the Office of the Ombudsman.
“As an agency that is also involved in investigation and intelligence-gathering, we understand how serious this case is since this involves the safety of the concerned individuals,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
“We will look into this case with urgency and with a commitment to run after all those involved,” he added.
The investigation will cover external and possible internal actors within the Ombudsman.
According to the PNP, the perpetrators may face charges under the Data Privacy Act and the Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act.
“I assure that appropriate charges will be filed against individuals behind this leak of information. The PNP also assures all government officials and employees that the police force is ready to protect them against all kinds of threats to their security,” Nartatez said.
On Sunday, the Office of the Ombudsman condemned the online disclosure of its investigators’ identities.
The Ombudsman said the unauthorized release of the identities of its investigators was meant to intimidate government personnel and put their safety at risk.
“The Office of the Ombudsman strongly condemns the malicious online disclosure of our investigators’ identities. This unauthorized leak is a blatant attempt to intimidate public servants and directly jeopardizes their personal safety,” it said.
It added that it is coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation and the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group to identify those responsible. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News
