Gov’t cracks down on abusive online lending apps

MANILA, Philippines — The government on Monday launched a campaign to crack down on abusive online lending applications (OLAs) and to give victims sufficient legal remedies, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

PAOCC shared that it received more than 13,000 complaints in April and May this year where OLAs operators caused harm to many Filipinos through harassment and threats.

“[T]hese abusive online lending operators have caused serious harm to thousands of Filipinos. Under the President’s directive, we are going after these groups to protect our people and ensure they are held accountable,” PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said in a statement.

READ: NBI warns public vs. online lending scams

PAOCC noted that about 100 complainants came forward to give their sworn statements and testimonies before the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Investigation and Detection Group. PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured the complainants of full assistance throughout the legal process.

READ: Gen Zs driving boom: PH digital lending market to exceed $1B this year

Further, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned the public to not transact from OLAs without registrations or licenses.

“The Commission emphasized the risk of exposing borrowed to abusive collection practices, privacy violations, and outrageous fees,” the PAOCC said in the same statement.

It added that the SEC had already ordered the shutdown of OLAs found to be operating without necessary legal documents.

The PAOCC also shared that it successfully banned 27 admins and 89 online scam online loan pages last February 2025. /cb