SEC heads Cordillera task force vs scams

By Helen Veryan C. Valdez

BAGUIO CITY- The Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee inked a resolution reviving the RLECC Task Force against investment scams, further expanding its purpose to include all online and cyber scams.
    Resolution no. 01, series of 2022 designated lawyer Regina May Cajucom – De Guzman, director of the Securities and Exchange Commission – Baguio Extension Office (SEC-BEO) as chairperson of the task force.
    “Considering the high incidence of reported unauthorized solicitation of investments and of Ponzi, pyramiding and other such schemes enticing the public to invest their hard-earned money in what appear to be high-interest- yielding investments,” the resolution stated, “we recognize the need for a whole-of-government approach in this campaign for effective investor and consumer protection in the Cordillera Region.”
    The task force is set to conduct comprehensive and intensive information campaigns for the transacting public, which shall highlight detection and avoidance of investment scams, and the proper complaint procedures for those who fell victim to such schemes.
    The reactivation also strengthens the referral system and information sharing between the member-agencies to quicken the response and resolution of cases. “Information is the new weapon. We want our investing public and consumers out there to make informed decisions on their hard-earned money. This Task Force will work on knowledge sharing, extensive information campaigns and strengthened inter-agency coordination towards a scam-free, equipped and empowered society when it comes to investment and consumer concerns,” De Guzman said.
    Task force members include Cordillera regional offices of police Anti-Cybercrime Unit, National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - Northern Luzon Regional Office, National Telecommunications Commission and Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Information and Communication Technology DICT), Justice, and Philippine Information Agency. – (HVCD, information officer, SEC-BEO)