Filipino ‘love scam’ hubs bring shame to PH — Gatchalian

Sherwin Gatchalian —SENATE SOCIAL MEDIA UNIT

MANILA, Philippines — The love scams operated by Filipinos are bringing shame to the country and must be addressed by the government at once, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, made this statement after Australian authorities stated last week that love scam centers based in the country have victimized around 5,000 Australians with AU$24 million lost to scammers.

READ: Australian police warn vs PH-based ‘love’ scams

“Nakakahiya na mismong mga kapwa natin Pilipino ang nambibiktima ng mga dayuhan. Sinisira nila ang magandang imahe ng mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa, lalo na ang ating mga OFW, na nakilalang maaasahan at mapagkakatiwalaan,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

(It is embarrassing that our fellow Filipinos victimize foreigners. They destroy the good image of Filipinos overseas, especially of our OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), which is known for being reliable and trustworthy.)

“Ang mga ganitong insidente ay maaaring magdulot ng masamang epekto sa kanilang oportunidad sa trabaho sa ibang bansa sa hinaharap,” Gatchalian also said of OFWs.

(Such incidents may cause bad effects to their work opportunities in other countries in the future.)

Gatchalian then said he plans on filing a resolution about love scams, which he said may be related to the “remnants” of Philippine offshore gaming operators hubs.

On top of this, he also urged the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to work closely with law enforcement agencies in other countries “to weed out such criminal activities in the Philippines.” Sheba Barr, INQUIRER.net trainee