Lending app firm workers face charges

At least 117 Filipino workers from a Makati City office recently raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) will face charges for allegedly violating the Data Privacy Act.

PAOCC officials said the establishment allegedly served as a hub for several online lending applications that illegally harass debtors.

Authorities disclosed that of the 131 Filipino workers in PAOCC custody after the raid, 14 have agreed to testify as witnesses and they will be excluded from the Data Privacy Act charges filed against their colleagues who have undergone inquest proceedings.

“All of them will be charged, and the fiscal will determine if all of them should be held liable or not,” PAOCC spokesperson Director Winston Casio said in an online interview.

The PAOCC and National Bureau of Investigation are investigating the possible connection between the lending app companies and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators operations.

To recall, the raid was launched by PAOCC and NBI operatives last Friday after a search warrant was issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court.

“What’s sad here is that the victims are Filipinos. And those scamming, harassing, and causing them pain are also Filipinos,” PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said. “Those holding the reins, running the operations, are Chinese or foreign nationals who serve as the bosses of these loan applications.”

After the raid, PAOCC said it received more complaints against the unfair collection practices of online lending applications and is investigating them.