Kabacan, Cotabato — A coordinated cybercrime operation by the Cotabato Provincial Cyber Response Team (CPCRT-RACU 12), in partnership with the Kabacan Municipal Police Station, successfully led to the arrest of an individual involved in the illegal selling of registered SIM cards on May 5, 2026, in Barangay Poblacion, Kabacan.
The suspect was apprehended for violating Section 7 of Republic Act 11934 (SIM Registration Act) in connection with Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). Authorities recovered various pieces of evidence during the operation, including marked money, mobile phones, and SIM cards allegedly used in unlawful transactions.
The operation was the result of intensified cyber patrolling and intelligence-driven surveillance conducted by RACU 12. Officials traced the suspect’s activities through an online platform, prompting an immediate entrapment operation that successfully led to the individual’s arrest and the seizure of crucial evidence to support the impending case.
Upon arrest, the suspect was informed of their rights under the Miranda Doctrine and the Anti-Torture Act and is currently in the custody of the Kabacan Municipal Police Station for documentation and further investigation.
In a statement, PCOL Ramel B. Hojilla, Acting Provincial Director, commended the operatives for their swift and decisive action. “The dedication of our personnel has once again demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating cybercrime,” Hojilla said. He also encouraged the public to cooperate with law enforcement by providing accurate information, emphasizing that community participation is vital in strengthening the campaign against cybercrime and other illegal activities.
This operation underscores Cotabato authorities’ ongoing commitment to tackling cybercrime and preventing illegal activities that exploit registered SIM cards for criminal purposes.