MANILA—The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) have signed an agreement to strengthen protection for older Filipinos against online scams and other cybercrimes, as officials warned that seniors face growing risks in navigating digital platforms.
Under the memorandum of agreement signed Tuesday, the agencies will expand cyber safety education and basic digital literacy programs to senior citizens at the grassroots level.
CICC Executive Director and Undersecretary Renato Paraiso said in his pre-recorded speech that the agency received around 6,000 reports from June to August 2026, with 59.85 percent classified as scam-related. Of these, 216 reports involved senior citizens.
NCSC Chairperson Atty. Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez said one scheme encountered by seniors is the so-called “love scam,” where victims are befriended online, often by people claiming to be based overseas, before eventually being persuaded to invest or surrender money.
“Remember na iyong mga may kaunting na ipon ng mga senior citizens ay nako-convince na magkaroon ng pagkakaibigan. Mostly sa abroad, nagkakaroon ng kaibigan ng senior citizen dito sa Pilipinas,” Gutierrez said.
“Nagiging magkaibigan until sa dumating sa point na mako-convince na isa ang ating senior citizen na mag-invest. At dumadating na doon sa point na lahat ng pera niya sa bangko naibibigay niya dito sa kanyang naging friend," she added.
Gutierrez also warned that fraudulent links can compromise victims' bank accounts and personal information.
“Marami pang mga nagrereklamo na kapag meron silang link na na-press, ubos na iyong kanilang account sa kanilang bangko," she said.
The NCSC said the need for stronger protection is underscored by the country's growing elderly population, with 11.42 million older persons now accounting for about one in every 10 Filipinos
Gutierrez said seniors are increasingly participating in the country's digital transformation but remain vulnerable to online fraud, phishing, identity theft and other predatory schemes.
CICC Director Rojun Hosillos, in response, said the CICC plans to bring its SCAMSafe team’s seminars on cyber safety and cybersecurity directly to senior citizen organizations and communities.
“Pupunta po talaga tayo sa grassroots. Pupunta po talaga tayo sa kung saan nagtitimpon-timpon ang mga senior citizens. In fact, meron na po tayong mga invitations, iyong ating ScamSafe team, na nagse-seminar po sila on cyber safety, on cyber security,” Hosillos said.
“Palalawakin pa po natin ito based on this memorandum of agreement na napagkaisahan po natin ngayong hapon. So there will be a rollout; there will be programs na talagang tutok sa senior citizens," he added.
The CICC will also provide technical expertise and help develop information, education and communication materials and training modules tailored to older persons.
It reminded the public that its 24/7 hotline 1326 can be used not only by cybercrime victims but also by those who suspect that a text message, email or online interaction may be a scam.
Meanwhile, the NCSC is looking at Senior Citizen Centers as possible venues for basic computer and digital literacy training, which could also help seniors access government services and benefits online.
Gutierrez said implementation would partly depend on budget approval, while CICC said its existing cyber safety materials are already available through its website, Facebook account, and other communication platforms.