Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, September 2 called for the strict implementation of the newly-enacted Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) law.

Hontiveros made the call following the reported rescue of nearly 100 Indonesian nationals during a recent raid done by law enforcement authorities in an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Cebu. 

At least 160 foreign nationals were rescued during the raid conducted at a resort hotel in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu.

The foreigners—some of which are Chinese, Indonesians, Myanmar, Malaysian and two Taiwanese—are reportedly engaged in scamming activities. 

Five Filipino administrators or managers, were also found at the POGO inside the Tourist Garden Hotel located in the city’s Barangay Agus.

“The rescue of nearly 100 Indonesian nationals highlights the urgent need to enforce Republic Act No. 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA),” Hontiveros said.

“Hindi tayo papayag na ginagawang headquarters ng mga scammer ang Pilipinas (We will “not allow the Philippines to be made the headquarters of scammers),” she said.

“These cunning scam hub operators are transnational,” she pointed out.

She also recalled that during the hearings of the Senate on POGOs, it was mentioned that these hubs survive due to the forced labor of victims of human trafficking, whether they are Filipino or not.

“Under AFASA this is economic sabotage,” she reiterated.

“AFASA also has a provision that allows the use of seized assets for victim protection. It is time we set the law in motion,” added the lawmaker.

“Dapat napapangalanan at mapanagot ang mga taong ginawa nang hanapbuhay ang panlalamang sa kapwa nila (People who made it a business to harm their fellow man should be named and held accountable),” she pointed out.

In order to deter future scams, the government must provide justice to the victims, Hontiveros said.