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NFA to auction rice to free up warehouse space

REUTERS

THE National Food Authority (NFA) said it will auction its older rice stocks by early May to facilitate more rice procurement, following weak take-up from local government units (LGUs) during the food security emergency.

NFA Administrator Larry del Rosario Lacson said the auction is authorized by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) emergency order, which allows for the disposal of NFA inventory to boost supply and stabilize prices.

“I will launch an auction under the law,” he told reporters. “We will be targeting the regions whose warehouses are full so that we can free them up, then we can buy.”

Mr. Lacson said the NFA has yet to determine the floor price for the auction but noted that it is weighing a price that will be attractive relative to the P30-P34 per kilogram price traders pay for imported rice.

“You can set it at P38 but if they can buy imported rice at P30 to P34, who will bid?”

Mr. Lacson said farmer cooperatives and the private sector will also be allowed to participate in the auction.

The DA on Feb. 3 declared a rice emergency, allowing the NFA — which is barred by law from selling rice directly to the public — to release inventory to government agencies, LGUs, and government-backed markets.

However, the NFA said the volume of rice it had released since the emergency declaration was only 20,000 bags — well below the monthly target of 500,000 bags.

The NFA’s rice inventory as of April 11 was equivalent to 7.17 million bags, including 9 million bags of palay (unmilled rice) and 1.2 million bags of rice.

Rice imports fell 46% year on year to 641,000 metric tons in the year to date ending March 13. A US Department of Agriculture report in March said Philippine rice imports will likely decline 1.9% to this year due to an expected increase in domestic production.

The farmgate price of palay continues to decline by a reported 24.4% year on year in March to an average of P18.57 per kilogram.

The NFA, which is required by law to buy palay from farmers to maintain a minimum rice inventory, pays P23 to P30 per kilo for clean and dry palay, and P17 to P23 per kilo for fresh/wet palay.

Raul Q. Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers, said the average farmgate price of P18.57 per kilo for dry palay would be equivalent to around P15-16/kilo for wet/freshly harvested palay.

But some farmers were citing farmgate prices of P13-14 per kilo for freshly harvested palay, he said via Viber.

“Imports in January-February appear to have slackened but picked up in March.  There was also probably a lot of leftover stock from last year that spilled over to 2025 which, together with incoming harvests, led to higher total supply,” he noted.

Mr. Montemayor said international prices continue to fall, “so palay traders are probably hedging against low market prices in the coming months and therefore buying from farmers at a low price.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

NFA bats for P8 billion in extra funding for rice procurement

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE National Food Authority (NFA) said on Tuesday it will require P8 billion more in funding to achieve its rice inventory goals, which are equivalent to 15 days’ demand, adding that current stock levels are at more than half of the 550,000 metric ton (MT) target.

“To fill up the 15-day buffer stock, we need an additional P8 billion,” NFA Administrator Larry R. Lacson said at a Palace briefing. “However, since our pricing is flexible, we can adjust palay (unmilled rice) prices and purchase more when the cost is lower.”

“My priority is to unload existing stock, which will generate funds to purchase more palay,” he added

In the first quarter, the government procured about 2.2 million bags of palay for P2.6 billion, he said, and indicated plans to actively buy more.

The official rice reserve is about 358,000 MT or 7.16 million bags of rice, equivalent to about 9.36 days of demand, Mr. Lacson said.

“We are on track and we are continuously increasing our buffer stock for rice. As we all know, rice is the main gauge of food security,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. last month urged the government to allow the NFA to buy about 20% of the harvest to move the needle on rice prices and to give the government more influence on the market.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in February declared a food security emergency focused on rice to lower the cost of the grain.

The emergency authorizes the DA to release reserves held by the NFA to stabilize prices and ensure that rice remains accessible to consumers.

“We are hopeful of achieving the (15-day reserve level) before the end of the year, or at least by the wet season harvest,” Mr. Lacson said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Batangas gas-fired plant operator hopes to obtain certification by end of May

AG&P COMPANY

EXCELLENT Energy Resources, Inc. (EERI) said it hopes the certification it needs to operate Unit 3 of its Batangas gas-fired project will be issued by the end of May.

The 425-megawatt (MW) Unit 3 of EERI’s 1,275-MW combined cycle power plant complex in Ilijan, Batangas has recently undergone testing and commissioning, it said, and is awaiting a final certificate of approval to connect the plant to the grid.

“The target is to address and resolve these concerns by 30 May 2025,” Yari A. Miralao, EERI president and chief executive officer, said in a statement late Monday.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the facility can reach full operational capacity at the earliest possible opportunity,” he said.

EERI is jointly owned by subsidiaries of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Aboitiz Power Corp. and San Miguel Global Holdings Corp.

Mr. Miralao said Units 1 and 2 are fully operational at their combined capacity of 850 MW.

On Monday, the Department of Energy flagged EERI and Meralco for not hitting full capacity according to the terms of their power supply agreement (PSA).

The PSA was entered into after a competitive selection process last year. The power generator offered 1,200 MW out of the required contract capacity of 1,800 MW.

“Our concern is without the fulfilment of the power supply agreement of Meralco and EERI, then there is a gap. Instead of having a fully contracted capacity, then these capacities that are lacking under the PSA will have to be sourced from other generating facilities,” Mr. Marasigan said. 

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

High court rejects legal challenge to fast-tracked approval of energy projects

GNPOWER.COM.PH

THE Supreme Court (SC) upheld a 2017 executive order (EO) on Tuesday that fast-tracks approvals for energy projects deemed nationally significant, dismissing a legal challenge filed by environmental advocates.

The SC, sitting en banc, rejected a petition seeking to block EO No. 30, which streamlines the permit process for Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS) by establishing the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC).

The ruling, written by Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, said the EO falls within the president’s power to reorganize the bureaucracy and expedite government processes.

The petitioners, Quezon for Environment, claimed that EO 30 exceeds the President’s authority, violated their right to a healthy environment, bypassed key environmental requirements like the Environmental Compliance Certificate, and set unrealistic deadlines for complex energy projects.

The tribunal dismissed these claims, ruling the EO is aligned with the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 and the Department of Energy (DoE) Act of 1992.

It said an Environmental Protection Order was not applicable as the petition raised legal, not factual, questions of environment law violations.

“The SC upheld the guidelines under EO 30, which only sets minimum standards to help guide agencies — these can be adjusted to follow specific laws or protect the public,” it said in a separate statement.

“It clarified that the presumption of prior approval means permits can be processed at the same time, not skipped altogether,” it added.

The 30-day timeframe, on the other hand, is even more flexible than the deadline under other laws like the DoE Act and the Ease of Doing Business Act.

Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F Leonen dissented, calling the EO illegal.

He called the 30-day rule arbitrary and noted that some permits require more time due to complexity or the need to assess environmental impact.

He also said rapid electrification should be consistent with environmental protection.

In a separate concurring opinion, Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa said the EO cuts red tape without compromising legal protections.

The respondents in the case were former Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, the DoE, and other implementing agencies involved in the processing of energy project permits. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PHL among targets for Brazilian pork exports as China demand weakens

REUTERS

PHILIPPINE PORK imports from Brazil hit record levels in 2024 as Brazilian producers sought alternative markets in the face of weak Chinese demand, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported.

Brazilian pork shipments to the Philippines rose 101% year on year in 2024, the USDA said in a report on the global pork trade.

It said the China market, which accounted for 55% of Brazilian pork exports in 2020, “steadily” declined to 18% in 2024 — “driven by weaker China import demand, stemming from China’s slowdown in economic growth and rebound in domestic pork production.”

Brazil became heavily committed to the China market in 2020 and 2021 as Chinese production suffered from outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF).

“Brazil more than offset those losses with higher shipments to the Philippines, Chile, and Japan,” the report said.

Among Brazil’s top five export markets, the Philippine shipment growth was second only to that of Japan at 133%.

Chinese pork imports from Brazil fell 40% while those of Hong Kong declined 17%.

Brazil is expected to gain market share in price-sensitive markets as tariffs and animal health issues shift market dynamics in 2025, according to the report.

It cited ASF outbreaks that continue to affect swine production in the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea.

“This year, China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on both Canada and the US, which are expected to decrease demand for pork from both countries,” it added.

The growth in Brazilian meat exports is largely due to its ability to switch markets quickly as a result of new market access and its position as a low-cost pork supplier, the report said.

In 2024, Brazil gained access to 17 new pork export markets and exported pork to over 100 different countries.

“Despite increasing pork export prices through much of 2024, Brazil pork remains at a significant discount compared to other major exporters,” the USDA said.

“This price competitiveness will boost sales to several markets, including Japan, which is forecast to be the second-largest importer globally in 2025, behind Mexico,” it added.

Philippine meat imports hit 99.681 million kilograms (kg) in February from 137.999 million in January.

Global pork production is forecast to increase 2% in 2025 to 105.8 million MT on gains by all major producers, including the US, the European Union, Brazil, Turkey, and China.

Meanwhile, the USDA said firm demand from key markets such as the Philippines, the US, and Chile is likely to drive Brazil’s beef and veal exports to record levels in 2025.

It said Philippine beef and veal imports rose to 276,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024 from 197,000 MT in 2023, and may increase to 285,000 MT in April 2025.

Philippine beef imports in February rose to 12.490 million kg from 10,824 million a year earlier, according to government data. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

BIR expects to exceed Q1 goal despite shortfall in initial data

TAXPAYERS line up at the Bureau of Internal Revenue office in Intramuros, Manila, April 18, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it expects to exceed its first-quarter collection target even after preliminary totals of P668.99 billion fell short of the goal of P671.99 billion.

First-quarter collections as initially reported were 12.78% higher year on year.

Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said at a briefing on Tuesday that the final total will likely bring the bureau beyond the target, driven by value-added tax collections.

“For 2025, our target is P3.23 trillion. Based on the progress of our implemented programs and the performance from January to March, our collection is going well. In fact, we are exceeding our targets, and we expect this trend to continue in April and the following months,” he said.

April collections will be boosted by the income tax payments to be received by the April 15 income tax deadline. The April target is P208 billion.

“After reviewing the numbers, we were still waiting for approximately 9% more to file (Tuesday),’ he said.

The BIR was expecting around 4 million income tax returns to be filed.

He said rules requiring online filing have migrated most filers to that channel.

“Actually, almost all. The only ones that have the option for manual filing are micro and small business enterprises because we have new, shorter forms for them,” he said.

“This is part of our new EoPT (Ease of Paying Taxes) law, which aims to simplify and shorten forms for micro and small businesses. That’s why we have introduced manual filing for them,” he added.

Last year, BIR collections from income and profits tax grew 9.15% to P1.53 trillion. —  Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

DTI donates computer equipment to support DepEd programs promoting AI

FREEPIK

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are working together to better equip the workforce with future-ready skills, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).

On Tuesday, DTI donated P2.6 million worth of computers to DepEd to support its efforts in building “AI capability and equipping learners and educators with AI-powered tools.”

“The DTI stands firmly with our partners in education and workforce development in cultivating globally competitive Filipino talent,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said.

“Through this partnership, we are advancing human capital by integrating digital tools into our education system — bringing meaningful improvements to our schools and communities that will ultimately uplift our local industries,” she added.

According to the DTI, the equipment will aid the full transfer and operationalization of the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR) system from the DTI to DepEd.

In February, the DepEd launched E-CAIR with the aim of integrating AI into the education sector.

By June, E-CAIR is expected to “deploy high-impact digital tools focused on improving operational efficiency, optimizing resource allocation, enhancing data-driven policymaking, and strengthening student support systems.”

According to Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara, the government hopes to increase the country’s competitiveness through AI.

“It will help. But it is not a solution in itself. AI will be part of all our lives, so we have to be familiar with it,” he said.

The DepEd intends to use AI to address malnutrition and identify overcrowded and under-capacitated schools.

“We need to capacitate our teachers and our students to be familiar with AI because that is the future,” he said, noting that some employers are already looking for AI skills. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

US sends missile system for Balikatan

PHILIPPINESTAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

THE US has deployed an anti-ship missile system to the Philippines ahead of their annual Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) joint military exercises, a Philippine military official said on Tuesday.

“The NMESIS (Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System… is already in the country,” Brigadier General Michael G. Logico, assistant exercise director for this year’s Balikatan exercises, told a news briefing. “I will not say where, but… it’s going to be part of the exercises.”

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. would observe the integrated air and missile defense exercises to be held in Zambales province along the country’s western seaboard, he added. “He will be in a secure and classified location.”

The anti-ship missile system is the second US missile system deployed by Washington to the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia.

US Defense Secretary Peter Brian Hegseth in late March vowed to help arm the Philippines with deterrence capabilities by deploying advanced weaponry, such as the NMESIS and unmanned sea vessels.

This year’s Balikatan drills will feature full-scale command-and-control exercises, maritime drills and live-fire exercises to simulate counter-landing operations, the AFP said in a statement.

Nineteen countries have been invited to observe the joint drills including Canada, Germany and the UK, which have confirmed participation, it added.

The Philippine military will be able to test all their military assets for this year’s drills, including its brand-new naval warship and artillery systems, Mr. Logico said. “We’re utilizing all our acquired assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization.”

The Philippines is modernizing its military arsenal and deepening security ties with other nations as it seeks to counter China’s military might in the region, buying warships from South Korea and a missile system from India.

Washington’s mid-range Typhon missile system will also be used for this year’s drills, Mr. Logico said. “It was used in the previous exercise and it will be used for this year as well.”

The intermediate-range missile system can launch missiles as far as 1,600 kilometers, which could reach the Chinese mainland. It was flown to the Philippines in April last year and has since drawn sharp criticism from Beijing.

About 14,000 troops from the Philippine and US militaries will stage their largest annual war games on April 21 to May 9, conducting exercises near regional flashpoints including Batanes province near Taiwan and the South China Sea, according to a presentation by the Philippine military.

“These are not random locations; these are purposive locations,” Mr. Logico said, adding that the combat training venues respond to “broader security concerns.”

“The overall intent here is that the exercises by themselves can also help in resisting influence operations from other nations,” he said. “When we plan out our exercises, we are agnostic to whatever reactions other countries may have to the exercise.”

Meanwhile, delegates from the US Congress met with the Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. on Monday, during which they reaffirmed Philippine-US security ties and pledged to expand military cooperation across all domains.

In a statement late Monday, the Philippine Defense department said it held talks with US Senator John Peter Rickets, chief of the Senate foreign relations committee, and California Rep. Kenneth S. Calvert, head of the House of Representatives defense appropriations subcommittee.

“The meeting underscored the enduring and evolving defense alliance between the Philippines and the United States, anchored on shared democratic values and a mutual commitment to promoting peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the agency said.

Recovered sea drones in PHL waters likely sent by China

PHOTO SHOWS an underwater drone with Chinese markings from the Philippine National Police in Bicol, Dec. 30, 2024. — PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 5

THE Philippine Navy on Tuesday said several sea drones recovered in the country’s waters were likely deployed by China and could have been used for preparations for underwater warfare.

Three of the five sea drones recovered in Philippine waters in the past two years had a “50% to 80%” likelihood of being deployed by the Chinese government, Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent T. Trinidad told a news briefing.

The suspected Chinese sea drones were recovered with water depth, temperature, salinity and underwater sound detection data that could be processed, stored and transmitted to land stations, motherships or other drones via satellite communication, he added.

The Philippine Navy analyzed the drones with the help of allied, “like-minded” nations, Mr. Trinidad said, without disclosing which countries had helped with the analysis.

“It’s very clear that these are used for mapping out the underwater terrain, collecting information and document data,” he said. “All of these are used across different fields, including underwater warfare.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

The Chinese government deployed its so-called Blue Ocean Information Network from 2016 to 2019, allowing Beijing to monitor the South China Sea, according to a presentation by the Philippine Navy.

“This Blue Ocean Information Network is used for scientific, economic and commercial research purposes, but this will have security implications considering the dual-use nature of the information that… allows China to monitor the maritime environment through advanced information technology,” Mr. Trinidad said.

He added that the suspected Chinese sea drones used components made in China. “Some of the components had markings from China, others had defaced markings to probably prevent reverse engineering or to hide the identity of the source.”

The sea drones present a national security threat because they could have mapped out Philippine waters, he added.

“In today’s generation of warfare, information is key; he who holds information will have an advantage,” Mr. Trinidad said.

“Any potential adversary who would like to harm our country would need to know the information not only on land and on air but more importantly, since we are an archipelago, underwater information,” he added.

He said the Philippine military is coordinating with other government agencies to determine “appropriate action.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Google’s ‘West Philippine Sea’ label boosts Philippines’ maritime claim

A SCREENSHOT OF GOOGLE MAPS

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

TECH GIANT Google LLC’s decision to label a part of the South China Sea as the “West Philippine Sea” is a symbolic win for the Philippines in its sea dispute with China, according to a diplomacy expert.

“This move by Google further legitimizes our sole rights over the disputed [waters],” Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in Manila, told BusinessWorld in a Facebook Messenger chat on Tuesday.

“Given that Google is a US-based entity, it is not surprising anymore that such initiatives will be undertaken in light of the fact that the Trump regime greatly supports the Philippines in its quest for exclusive rights as promulgated through a 2016 arbitral ruling,” he added.

The Philippines refers to areas of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippine Sea.

Google’s cartographic update, however, could exacerbate tensions between the US and China, he said. But since Google is banned in Mainland China, the move is unlikely to trigger additional restrictions there.

“With the imposition of nuanced reciprocal tariffs, countries in the region would not dare to do bold moves against US-based companies as this can be viewed by the Trump administration as a challenge to their interests,” Mr. Cortez said.

The US has imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese exports as part of its “America-First Policy.” Beijing retaliated with 125% tariffs against Washington. Reciprocal tariffs on the rest of the world including Southeast Asian countries have been put on hold for 90 days.

Given the shift in global media consumption patterns, where social media and digital platforms eclipse traditional outlets, Google’s changes could significantly influence public perception, the academic said.

“In our region alone, most Southeast Asians utilize social media to receive information about timely and relevant issues,” he said. “In the case of Google, it can be deduced that this is, in a way, in line with America’s current foreign policy on the Indo-Pacific.”

One of the most notable developments in recent months was the Gulf of Mexico/America naming controversy, where Google and other mapping platforms, replaced the traditional “Gulf of Mexico” label with “Gulf of America” for users accessing the service within the US.

For users outside Mexico and the US, the platform displays both names, with one appearing in parentheses to reflect differing national perspectives.

In 2009, the tech giant acknowledged its Maps platform adapts based on local context, noting that it wanted to reflect on-the-ground realities in the region it serves.

The West Philippine Sea, an area rich in marine resources and vital shipping lanes, has long been a flashpoint in Asia-Pacific geopolitics. The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan all claim parts of the sea.

Despite a legal victory for Manila in 2016, Beijing continues to assert sovereignty in the area through its “nine-dash-line” map.

In 2012, the late President Benigno S.C. Aquino III issued an order renaming the areas of the South China Sea within the western part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as the West Philippine Sea to strengthen Manila’s sovereign rights.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the Google move should prompt other mapping services, cartographic institutions and nations to acknowledge the Philippines’ claim in the South China Sea.

“Google’s decision to reflect the West Philippine Sea label is more than a map update,” he said in a statement. “It’s a geopolitical affirmation. This platform shapes global consciousness, and this recognition adds significant weight to our cause.”

“We hope this move will encourage other mapping services, institutions, and governments to follow suit and acknowledge what the law and justice clearly uphold,” he added. — with Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Protect informal sectors during Holy Week, government urged

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

AS THE predominantly Catholic Philippines observe the Holy Week, a labor leader urged employers and the government to protect the country’s most vulnerable workers in the informal sectors as they face heightened economic instability and labor abuses during the religious holiday.

Federation of Free Workers President Jose Sonny G. Matula said informal workers, such as street vendors, transport operators, and food hawkers, remain vulnerable due to their lack of legal protections.

“They may be displaced by local government, clean-up drives, denied access to selling areas, or harassed while trying to earn a living during the holiday period,” he told BusinessWorld in a Viber chat.

These sectors also often see their incomes plummet as regular foot traffic disappears from city centers, while other sectors thrive during the holiday, such as the food, drinks, tourism, accommodation, and transport sectors, he noted.

“Holy Week can be a dry spell or a temporary boom, depending on location and opportunity,” he said, noting most labor violations occur typically in sectors that experience a boom during the religious holiday.

“Many workers in these industries are on short-term or contractual arrangements and are often compelled to work excessive hours without proper holiday or overtime pay,” he said, citing tourism-heavy areas like Baguio, Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga, Boracay, and Palawan among other major tourist destinations.

“These regions attract high tourist volumes, but labor inspection and protection efforts often fall behind during peak seasons,” he said.

HOLIDAY PAY
Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, meanwhile, reminded employers of labor orders on special pays during the holidays.

“Just to remind our employers about the payment premiums to their workers who reported for work this Holy Week,” he said in a Viber chat on Tuesday. “Double or 200% for work rendered on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. 30% premium for Black Saturday.”

Workers exposed to the heat of the sun are also reminded to comply with precautionary measures like proper hydration, suitable clothing, and giving of periodic rest periods for protection.

The heat index in the country could soar to dangerous levels, especially during the dry season from March to May, experts earlier warned.

The Holy Week began last April 13 with Palm Sunday and will end on April 20 with Easter Sunday.

BI detains 86 online scammers

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said it detained 86 foreign nationals in an operation targeting suspected online scammers in Makati City, as the Philippine government intensifies its crackdown on illegal offshore activities.

The scammers were composed mostly of Chinese nationals, with some Malaysians and Vietnamese, it said in a statement.

The arrests were made on April 10 during an enforcement sweep at a condominium complex in Pio del Pilar village, following intelligence reports indicating that foreign nationals were being forced to work in digital scam operations involving fake e-commerce and romance schemes.

Authorities were tipped off after a Chinese national reportedly sent a WhatsApp message seeking help, claiming he was being held against his will and barred from leaving the premises.

Investigators said the syndicate allegedly lured victims through fraudulent online shopping sites and dating platforms, extracting payments without delivering goods or services.

During the raid, agents found dozens of foreign nationals stationed at computer terminals believed to be used in orchestrating the scams. None of the individuals were able to present valid documentation permitting them to work or stay legally in the Philippines.

The arrested individuals are being processed for deportation and are currently being held at the BI Warden’s Facility in Bicutan, Taguig.

The BI has urged the public to report suspected illegal activities involving foreign nationals as the agency vows to step up enforcement efforts in cyberscam cases. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana