Senator Mark A. Villar highlighted the growing impact of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), citing recent arrests and convictions as clear proof that the law is effectively being enforced to combat online financial crimes and protect Filipino consumers.
‘As the Principal Sponsor and Author of the AFASA Law, I am encouraged that we are now seeing real and measurable results-leading to actual arrests, stronger case build-ups, and successful convictions,’ Villar said.
‘Mas napapabilis ang pagresponde sa mga reklamo, at mas napapalakas ang ebidensya laban sa mga kriminal. Ito ang uri ng proteksyon na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa digital age,’ dagdag pa niya.
Recent operations highlight how AFASA is being implemented on the ground.
According to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), more than 90 individuals have been arrested since January this year for engaging in money muling activities, including the illegal sale of ATM cards, e-wallets, and other financial accounts used in fraudulent schemes.
In February, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) apprehended 20 foreign nationals involved in social engineering schemes, where perpetrators impersonate other individuals to defraud victims-an offense penalized under Section 4(b)(1) of AFASA.
A significant milestone was reached in April 2026, when four individuals were convicted by a Regional Trial Court for violating Section 5(d) of the law, marking one of the early successful prosecutions under AFASA.
‘Malinaw na epektibo ang AFASA sa laban kontra online scams. May pangil na ang batas-hindi na basta nakakalusot ang mga manloloko dahil mas mabilis at mas matibay na ang aksyon ng ating mga awtoridad,’ Villar emphasized.
The senator reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening safeguards against financial fraud while promoting greater public awareness in the digital space. ‘Hindi natin titigilan ang pagpapatibay ng ating mga batas at pagpapaigting ng kampanya laban sa cybercrime. Kasabay nito, hinihikayat natin ang publiko na maging mapanuri at maingat sa kanilang mga online na transaksyon,’ he concluded.