PNP vows speedy probe into 'data leak'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is "fast-tracking" its probe into possible privacy violations arising from an alleged breach of its recruitment application portal.

"As an immediate response to the said report by the National Privacy Commission, the Anti-Cyber Crime Group (ACG) of the PNP is currently exerting efforts in fast-tracking its internal investigation to determine if there are possible violations of provisions of Republic Act 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012)," the PNP said in a statement on Thursday.

"Likewise, the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology (DICTM) is currently conducting an assessment of the systems to determine possible violations or lapses in protocols and procedures," it added.

The "data leak" was reported on April 18 by expert Jeremiah Fowler on cybersecurity research company vpnMentor, which supposedly involved more than 1.2 million records relating to affairs of law enforcement agencies.

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Tuesday told CNN Philippines that the PNP database is the focus of the investigation.

READ: NPC: Data leak probe focuses on PNP database

NPC Commissioner John Henry Naga said two cases may be filed against those found responsible for violation of the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

The PNP said it is actively coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for a parallel probe.