Team DailyPedia
The Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has endorsed to the Philippine National Police–Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) a list of social media influencers allegedly promoting illegal online gambling platforms, moving what it described as efforts “from threat detection to formal enforcement.”
At a press conference in Quezon City, CICC chief Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said the agency’s Threat Monitoring Center (TMC), in coordination with advocacy group Digital Pinoys, had identified 30 additional influencers suspected of continuing to promote unauthorized gambling websites.
Paraiso noted that the top 15 influencers still posting promotional content had follower counts ranging from 1.1 million to 9.2 million, amplifying the reach and impact of their alleged violations.
“We will now be asking for the takedown of their sites, and we will be endorsing them to the PNP-ACG for the appropriate filing of cases,” Paraiso said.
He added that the influencers had previously been given the chance to remove such content but failed to comply, prompting the CICC to pursue legal action. The endorsement to the PNP-ACG begins the formal case build-up, which may lead to charges under:
- RA 10175 – Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
- Presidential Decree No. 1602 – Stiffer penalties for illegal gambling
- Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code – Estafa
Paraiso said further investigation could potentially reveal a “grand conspiracy” or large-scale syndicated estafa involving multiple influencers and unlicensed gambling operators.
As of November 13, the TMC continues to observe illegal gambling promotions online and identified 15 influencers allegedly involved. These include:
- perkz gaming
- Jungsuuk
- Christian Merck Grey
- Whamos Cruz
- Toni Fowler
- Norme Garcia
- Vic Desucatan
- Miss Ginbilog
- Cherry White
- Boy Tapang
- Da Siblings
- Wampipty
- TG
- Ohmyveenus
- MotoDick
Some accounts lacked publicly available contact information, the CICC said. It also confirmed that influencer Whamos Cruz’s account had already been taken down, either voluntarily or due to platform enforcement actions.
According to the CICC, the gambling websites being promoted operated without authorization from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). These platforms allegedly used Filipino influencers to attract users—including minors—through livestreams, referral links, giveaways, and online dares.
Previous joint operations between the CICC, Pagcor, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the PNP have resulted in arrests, equipment seizures, and the dismantling of both onshore and offshore illegal gambling networks.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said the group will soon turn over a new monitoring software to the CICC.
“This can easily detect illegal gambling sites,” Gustilo said, noting that improved tracking tools will strengthen government efforts to curb online gambling operations.
