Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero declined to be interviewed by Asiaweek, saying he did not want to prejudge the case. But what is clear is that in the Philippines, as in so many countries in the region, catching those who commit a cyber-crime is hard enough. Bringing them to justice is even tougher. He heads the International Affairs Department of Japan's National Police Agency, chairs a G-8 forum on transnational organized crime and, since 1996, has served as president of the international police body, Interpol. He recently discussed high-tech crime with Senior Correspondent Alejandro Reyes in his Tokyo office.
Nobody has an exact picture but cyber-crime is on the rise.
In Japan in 1998, there were more than 800 illegal access cases. And not all are reported. High-tech crime is closely linked to economic development. As Asia grows it will become a much more significant issue that not only law enforcement but also the criminal justice system will have to address. We have to identify criminals in real time, not afterward.