KABAYAN Representative Ron Salo condemned criminal networks running cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia.
“I strongly condemn the illegal trafficking of our fellow Filipinos allegedly being carried by a Chinese mafia operating in Southeast Asia,” Salo exclaimed.
“Taking advantage of the desperation of our kababayans looking for job opportunities is the peak of injustice and cruelty,” Salo added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega recently stated that criminals, particularly the Chinese mafia, operating cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia are targeting Filipinos due to their English proficiency and computer skills. The Filipinos are then forced to trick individuals to invest in cryptocurrency. “I am calling on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate and build the appropriate case against these unscrupulous individuals,” Salo said. “I also urge the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to strengthen their monitoring and implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003,” Salo added.
Salo, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, implored all relevant government agencies to increase the protection and awareness against human trafficking and cryptocurrency scams.
“We must continue to educate our fellow Filipinos against these illegal activities so we can minimize the victims of these criminal syndicates. We need to remind everyone that when the offer is too good to be true, then it must be a red flag. They cannot risk their lives for a promised financially rewarding job. And when the work is abroad, they have to go through established legal processes as these are designed for our people’s protection,” Salo concluded.
metrosundaily
