Society

GLOBE CHAIRS GLOBAL ANTI-SCAM ALLIANCE PH CHAPTER, UNITING PARTNERS TO PROTECT FILIPINOS ONLINE

3 September 2025

Globe has recently accepted chairmanship of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) Philippine Chapter, with Gogolook and Meta serving as vice chairs. The appointment took place at The Globe Tower, where stakeholders from payments, banking, tech platforms, and civil society aligned on a shared agenda.

Participants walked through the chapter charter, committed to forming working groups, and identified an advisory group to provide strategic guidance on the chapter’s direction and initiatives. They also began mapping plans for a public launch.

GASA is supported by Secretary Henry Aguda of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), following a strategic meeting held on August 13 between GASA officials and representatives from the Philippine Chapter, DICT, Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), the National Privacy Commission (NPC), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the GSM Association (GSMA), and members of the private sector. The meeting reinforced DICT’s support for the alliance’s multi-sectoral approach and its commitment to strengthening national coordination in the fight against scams.

“The threats we face in the digital world are growing more complex by the day. That’s why we at DICT fully support GASA’s collaborative model,” said DICT Secretary Henry Aguda. “Combating scams isn’t just a tech issue, it’s a trust issue. Through this alliance, we can move as one, strengthen safeguards, and give Filipinos the confidence to fully participate in the digital economy.”

GASA noted the scale of the challenge. Its research shows that online scams are now among the most reported crimes globally. In Southeast Asia, 63 percent of adults say they encountered a scam in the past year, while 22 percent lost money. In the Philippines, the share who lost money reaches about 31 percent.

As Chair, Globe is committed to ensuring the chapter focuses on practical, people-first initiatives,” said Derick Adil, GASA PH Co-Chair from Globe. Our vision is to empower and secure every Filipino against the changing landscape of digital fraud and scams. We’re focused on education, real-world guidance, and actionable intelligence and partnerships for consumers and enterprises, delivered in collaboration with public and private partners who can disrupt the scam ecosystem.

“Filipinos deserve a digital space they can trust. Chairing the GASA Philippine Chapter allows us to bring the right people to the table, share fraud intelligence, and act with urgency,” said Atty. Irish Salandanan-Almeida, Chief Privacy Officer and Vice President for the Policy Office of the Artificial Intelligence Group and the Information Security and Data Privacy Group. “Our goal is simple: Prevent fraud, stop scams, and make recovery easier for victims.”

Members will also leverage GASA’s partnership with the Global Signal Exchange to share verified scam signals such as malicious domains and accounts so local teams can act faster.

Globe’s cohesive and sustained efforts to fight scams and online threats make it well-positioned to lead the GASA Philippine Chapter. The company brings together strong network defenses, public awareness, and close coordination with government and key multi-sectoral local and international partners. It was the first telco in the country to block person-to-person SMS with clickable links, and it removed links from its own advisories to help customers more easily spot legitimate messages. Globe also works with regulators to take down scam websites, protect sender identities, and respond quickly to scam reports through its #StopSPAM portal.

In the first half of 2025, Globe has blocked more than 484 million scam and spam messages. Beyond tech, Globe continues to educate high-risk groups through sustained on-ground programs. Filipino youth are engaged through the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), which teaches responsible digital behavior and online safety, while senior citizens receive targeted guidance through #SeniorDigizen, a learning initiative designed to help them navigate digital spaces safely. These programs are complemented by regular scam alerts across mainstream and digital platforms, reinforcing Globe’s long-term commitment to protect Filipinos in an increasingly connected world.

“Scammers prey on emotion and speed. The answer is community and coordination,” said Rajeshpal Singh GASA Southeast Asia Advisor. “The Philippine Chapter connects banks, telcos, platforms, and public agencies so we can share intelligence quickly and give people practical protection that works.”

The meeting marked the start of a sustained program. Committees will be named, timelines set, and coordination with the advisory group strengthened. The goal is simple to understand. Fewer victims, faster response, and more confidence for Filipinos who rely on digital services to work, learn, and care for their families.