Dr. Dolores R. Bersamina, Dean of the Open University, and Dr. Wilson R. Tolio, Assistant Dean, recently attended the 28th National Convention of the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines (PCAP), held at Okada Hotel Manila from November 7 to 8, 2024.

This year’s convention, which is aligned with the first official Philippine Criminology Profession Week, was organized in response to Presidential Proclamation No. 397, series of 2023, designating November 3 to 9 each year as a week to honor the criminology profession in the Philippines.

The event attracted criminology professionals from across the nation who convened to discuss advancements in criminal justice, public safety, national security, and nation-building, particularly considering emerging technologies.

The convention’s theme, “The Criminological Dimension in the Metaverse of Criminal Justice, Public Safety, National Security, and Nation-Building,” spotlighted how virtual and augmented realities are transforming the criminological field.

Experts explored how the integration of metaverse technologies could reshape criminal investigations, enhance public safety, and bolster national security efforts. With the rise of digital spaces, criminologists face new challenges in areas like cybercrime, digital evidence collection, and virtual threat assessment, all of which were extensively discussed in sessions throughout the two-day event.

Dr. Bersamina and Dr. Tolio engaged with fellow criminologists and experts to gain insights into how the metaverse could be harnessed to advance criminological practices and enhance public safety frameworks.

The event also provided an invaluable networking opportunity for leaders in the field to forge stronger alliances, paving the way for more innovative and collaborative approaches to nationwide criminal justice issues.