Our latest OSINT training operation brought the Philippine National Police’s regional cyber investigative capabilities to the cutting edge.

Legazpi City, Philippines — December 2025.

In December, the Philippine National Police (PNP) hosted the Cyber Patroller and Tracker Team seminar. Officers across Region V joined OSINT Industries’ guest instructor Nathan joined as he demonstrated how open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques can supercharge cybercrime investigations in the Bicol region. 

Mission Objective: 

This OSINT training had clear objectives:

• Build modern digital investigative capabilities within regional law enforcement units
• Introduce practical OSINT/SOCMINT methodologies tailored to modern cybercrime investigations
• Improve investigators’ analysis of online behavior and digital footprints
• Encourage collaboration between Region V’s cyber investigators 

This wasn’t just OSINT in-theory. Officers trained in techniques they can immediately apply on their own cases, in the real world.

‍Challenge: When A Screen is A Crime Scene

“This is part of modern policing, and we must not be left behind.” – Lt Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). [Source: PCO]

Cybercrime in the Philippines is expanding faster than traditional methods can keep up with. The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) records approximately 19,000 cybercrime complaints a year, and rising. These encompass everything from social media scam farms to sextortion on-stream. 

Nowadays, on-the-ground PNP investigators are likely to open a case from a smartphone screen and not a bloody crime scene.

Every day, the ability to analyse publicly accessible information will prove essential. A victim will walk into a station with screenshots of a fake marketplace seller, or scarily credible death threats on their Facebook account. This type of crime - fake marketplace sellers who disappear after payment via GCash - is among the most common cybercrime complaints, rising 150% between 2019 and 2023. Identifying the suspect behind multiple usernames and throwaway email accounts takes a specific set of skills, and not all cyber investigators working in regional units will have them - yet.

“We envision a modern police force for a modern Filipino society – responsive, professional, and attuned to the times.” – Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Former Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). [Source: Manila Bulletin]

Integrating OSINT techniques into the traditional policing these officers already excel at helps transform scattered online clues into something valuable for action. As crime moves between keyboards and the real world, investigators need the tactical readiness to operate in both worlds with ease. 

Capacity-building OSINT training could be the key.

OSINT Training: Cyber Patroller and Tracker Team Seminar

Location: Legazpi City, Philippines
Host Institution: Philippine National Police
Guest Trainer: Nathan (@nthgnx6842), OSINT Industries
Duration: 3 days
Participants: Cyber investigators from Region V

Skills and Methodologies Developed

OSINT Fundamentals
The OSINT basics. How to identify valuable open-source data, conduct online research to a high ethical standard, and maintain operational security (OPSEC).

Advanced Operational Security (OPSEC)
Keeping the good guys safe. Officers heard techniques for protecting their identities and investigative infrastructure when conducting OSINT.

SOCMINT and Digital Footprint Analysis
Cutting-edge techniques for tracking trails online. Officers heard how to connect online accounts and behaviours to real-world identities, and incorporate social media OSINT (SOCMINT) into investigations.

Capture-the-Flag (CTF) Exercise
Getting hands-on. Officers completed a CTF-style investigation, applying new techniques in real-time. They practised analysing clues, identifying suspects and developing investigative leads with open-source intel, solving an educational OSINT challenge. 

Operational Impact: 

“The level of aggressiveness we show to ensure peace and order on the streets and in the communities should be the same in cyberspace…” – Lt Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). [Source: Manila Bulletin]

The Cyber Patroller and Tracker Team seminar combined technical instruction with practical exercises: it equipped officers to both identify online threats, and act on them in the real world.

Successful raids from online intel are the proof. On October 23, at about 2:10 AM, the PNP ACG arrested 39 individuals, including eight Chinese and one Taiwanese nationals, for operating an AI-augmented romance and investment scam hub. The PNP seized 267 pieces of digital evidence, including 36 computers and 200 mobile phones.

“Lahat ng cyber offender, hahabulin at papanagutin.” [trans. ‘all cyber offenders will be pursued and held accountable’]. – Lt Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). [Source: Daily Tribune]

In January, after this training, the PNP ACG filed 211 cases in one month. They arrested 108 cybercriminals, and rescued 20 victims in offline raids - including 3 children.

Trainer Evaluation

“Trust, professionalism, and warm hospitality. It was an honour to support continued law enforcement development.”

— Nathan, OSINT Industries Guest Trainer

OSINT Industries thanks the Philippine National Police, including PBG Erosito N. Miranda, Police Major Cinco and the wider PNP team for letting us share our expertise.

Mission Accomplished.

Online crime is evolving. We help law enforcement identify faster, analyse deeper, and investigate better.

Get OSINT Training here.