PAOCC: 15,000 complaints filed vs. online lending apps
During a public briefing on Wednesday, PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz reported the figure as he assured that the government is intensifying its crackdown against online financial platforms that violate data privacy and human dignity.
"So far, nasa 15,000 na po ang complaints [sa PAOCC]. What we're looking at is may 156,000 na complaints every month na nare-receive po ng law enforcement agencies," Cruz said.
(So far, there are already 15,000 formal complaints filed with the PAOCC. Law enforcement agencies are now receiving as many as 156,000 complaints each month.)
According to Cruz, victims are often low-income Filipinos who turned to online lending apps for emergency cash to pay for rent, medical bills, or tuition. Instead of receiving help, many fall into a cycle of intimidation and abuse.
"Karamihan ng mga nakakausap namin, they're being harassed whenever nagkakaroon ng singilan," he said.
(Most of the victims we've spoken with say they are being harassed whenever they are asked to pay.)
After users agree to the loan terms, Cruz said, some apps would use personal information— including photos, contacts, and online profiles—against them.
"Sinisingil ka nila with the interest na talagang umaabot ng 35% to 40%, wala kang magawa. Papadala nila ng mga kung anu-anong pananakot sa social media mo... may mga picture na edited," Cruz said.
(They charge interest that reaches 35% to 40%, and users have no choice but to pay. They send threats on social media and even use edited pictures to shame victims.)
Cruz said the psychological toll has become alarming, forcing some to resign from their jobs while others suffer mental illnesses.
Some online lenders resort to messaging co-workers and relatives with obscene or defamatory messages, the PAOCC chief said, forcing many victims into isolation and silence.
"Ang mga office workers nila... pinadadala ng kung ano-anong malalaswang messages. Dapat tandaan natin, iba 'yung obligasyon mo na nangutang ka, iba rin 'yung kaso 'pag ikaw naman hina-harass," he added.
(Their office co-workers receive obscene messages. We must remember: owing money is one thing, but harassment is a separate issue.)
To support victims, the PAOCC has launched a one-stop shop for complainants, providing free legal advice, support through the Department of Justice (DOJ), and even assistance with transportation and meals.
Cruz urged the public to verify lenders with banks, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), or the PAOCC before using online platforms. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- GMA Network
VP Sara to join Pinoy event in South Korea on July 27, to return to PH on SONA day
Vice President Sara Duterte announced on Wednesday that she will visit South Korea on July 27 to attend an event for the Filipino community and return to the Philippines on July 28, the day of the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA). 'There is a Filipino community event already confirmed on July 27 in South Korea. They organized it, and we were invited as the speakers,' Duterte said. 'During the SONA, I'll be traveling back to the Philippines. It's the travel date,' she added. Duterte said she accepted the invitation to the event to 'personally' express her gratitude to Filipinos in South Korea. The Vice President is currently abroad to visit her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has been in detention at The Hague since March. The elder Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court in connection with the killings under his war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and when he was president of the Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his fourth SONA on July 28. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco earlier said the Vice President will not be attending this year's SONA but noted that the House remains prepared should she change her mind. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15 hours ago
- GMA Network
PAOCC: 15,000 complaints filed vs. online lending apps
Some 15,000 complaints have been filed against abusive online lending apps with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), with numerous victims reporting severe harassment and mental anguish when they struggle to repay their loans. During a public briefing on Wednesday, PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz reported the figure as he assured that the government is intensifying its crackdown against online financial platforms that violate data privacy and human dignity. "So far, nasa 15,000 na po ang complaints [sa PAOCC]. What we're looking at is may 156,000 na complaints every month na nare-receive po ng law enforcement agencies," Cruz said. (So far, there are already 15,000 formal complaints filed with the PAOCC. Law enforcement agencies are now receiving as many as 156,000 complaints each month.) According to Cruz, victims are often low-income Filipinos who turned to online lending apps for emergency cash to pay for rent, medical bills, or tuition. Instead of receiving help, many fall into a cycle of intimidation and abuse. "Karamihan ng mga nakakausap namin, they're being harassed whenever nagkakaroon ng singilan," he said. (Most of the victims we've spoken with say they are being harassed whenever they are asked to pay.) After users agree to the loan terms, Cruz said, some apps would use personal information— including photos, contacts, and online profiles—against them. "Sinisingil ka nila with the interest na talagang umaabot ng 35% to 40%, wala kang magawa. Papadala nila ng mga kung anu-anong pananakot sa social media mo... may mga picture na edited," Cruz said. (They charge interest that reaches 35% to 40%, and users have no choice but to pay. They send threats on social media and even use edited pictures to shame victims.) Cruz said the psychological toll has become alarming, forcing some to resign from their jobs while others suffer mental illnesses. Some online lenders resort to messaging co-workers and relatives with obscene or defamatory messages, the PAOCC chief said, forcing many victims into isolation and silence. "Ang mga office workers nila... pinadadala ng kung ano-anong malalaswang messages. Dapat tandaan natin, iba 'yung obligasyon mo na nangutang ka, iba rin 'yung kaso 'pag ikaw naman hina-harass," he added. (Their office co-workers receive obscene messages. We must remember: owing money is one thing, but harassment is a separate issue.) To support victims, the PAOCC has launched a one-stop shop for complainants, providing free legal advice, support through the Department of Justice (DOJ), and even assistance with transportation and meals. Cruz urged the public to verify lenders with banks, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), or the PAOCC before using online platforms. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- GMA Network
2 Pinoy sailors likely killed, 5 of 21 rescued after attack by Houthi rebels
Two Filipino seafarers were "most likely" killed following an attack by Houthi rebels on a cargo vessel off the Red Sea while five of the 21 Filipino sailors of the sunken ship have been rescued, a senior Department of Foreign Affairs official said. "Ship has sunk and rescue operations ongoing. At least 5 of 21 Filipino seafarers, including ship captain have been rescued. There are reports of at least 2 casualties," DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told reporters. Asked if the two reported fatalities in the attack were Filipinos, De Vega said: "Most likely because of 22 crewmen, only 1 is not Filipino." The ship, named Eternity C, was carrying grains to Somalia for the World Food Program and was attacked by thr Iran-backed militants after completing the delivery of aid. It sustained engine damage after it was hit during the assault, reports said. Random attacks, piracy and ransom kidnappings of Filipino sailors by pirates, particularly in waters off Africa, have long been a problem for the Philippine government as they lack the capacity to monitor their movements when at sea. The Philippines is one of the world's largest providers of shipping manpower in the world. A bulk of Filipino seamen or more than 20 percent of the world's 1.2 million sailors are manning oil tankers, luxury liners, and passenger vessels worldwide, exposing them to attacks. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
