BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — September 17, 2026 — The Department of Tourism in the Caraga Region is stepping up efforts to protect tourists, tourism businesses and digital transactions from online scams as the region’s tourism industry becomes increasingly dependent on digital platforms.
The Department of Tourism–Caraga (DOT-13) has partnered with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU-13) of the Philippine National Police to strengthen cybersecurity across the region’s tourism sector.
The partnership focuses on preventing and responding to threats such as online scams, phishing, identity theft and other forms of cybercrime that can target travelers and tourism establishments.
Tourism Security Moves Into the Digital Space
DOT-13 Regional Director Ivonnie Dumadag said closer coordination with law enforcement is increasingly important because tourists now rely heavily on online platforms for bookings, payments, communications and travel information.
The agencies met in Butuan City on September 15 to identify emerging cyber threats and discuss preventive measures for tourism enterprises.
They also worked on reporting mechanisms and practical safeguards intended to help protect tourism businesses, their customers and online transactions from fraudulent activity.
The move effectively expands the concept of tourism security beyond physical safety.
For travelers, a secure vacation increasingly depends not only on police visibility at destinations but also on whether the hotel, tour operator, booking account or payment channel they are using is legitimate.
Siargao and Caraga Face Growing Tourism Activity
Caraga is home to major tourist destinations including Siargao Island, one of the country’s best-known international surfing and island destinations.
Earlier this year, the Police Regional Office in Caraga said the peace-and-order situation in Siargao remained stable despite social-media reports about isolated incidents.
PRO-13 also said additional personnel trained as Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection had been deployed amid increased visitor arrivals. Police and DOT officials have also been working on a Tourist Code of Conduct promoting responsible and culturally sensitive tourism.
That physical-security effort now has a digital counterpart through the new DOT-RACU cooperation.
Why Online Fraud Is Becoming a Tourism Problem
Tourism businesses increasingly depend on social-media pages, online reservations, electronic payments and digital advertising.
That creates opportunities for criminals to impersonate legitimate hotels, resorts, tour operators or travel services.
A similar problem has been documented elsewhere in the Philippines.
The Philippine Information Agency reported in April that DOT-Central Visayas had recorded 198 online scam incidents involving 26 tourism establishments as of March 17, with reported losses exceeding ₱1 million. The cases involved businesses in Cebu and Bohol and prompted the launch of the DOT-7 “Turista iWAS Scam” campaign.
The Caraga partnership therefore comes amid a wider effort by tourism authorities to address digital fraud as part of visitor protection.
DOT: Safer Tourism Requires Stronger Partnerships
Dumadag said the cooperation with the PNP and RACU-13 is aimed at creating a safer, more secure and trustworthy tourism environment throughout Caraga.
The agencies’ approach includes improving how tourism businesses identify cyber threats, report suspicious activity and respond when tourists or establishments become targets.
The emphasis is particularly relevant as more travel arrangements are made before visitors even arrive at their destinations.
Security Beyond the Tourist Police
The Philippines has previously used formal partnerships between tourism and law-enforcement agencies to strengthen security in tourist destinations.
In 2022, the DOT partnered with the PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under the Tourism Operation Protection Against Illegal Drugs (TOP-AID) initiative, building on the earlier Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program.
The latest Caraga initiative is different in scope: its immediate focus is cybersecurity and online fraud, showing how tourism protection is expanding alongside changes in the way travelers book, pay and communicate.
For Caraga’s tourism industry, the message is increasingly clear: protecting visitors does not end when they arrive at the airport, port or hotel.
It starts online.
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