PH to provide legal assistance to 11 Pinoys jailed in Nigeria
'Our Embassy is working on the case. They will be provided legal assistance,' De Vega told GMA News Online.
On Saturday, the Agence France Presse reported the Filipinos were among 15 foreigners who were arrested, which include two Chinese, one Malaysian and one Indonesian.
They were each sentenced to one year in prison by a Lagos court and fined one million naira (about $630) after they pleaded guilty, said Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Dele Oyewale.
They were accused of recruiting young Nigerians for "identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality."
The Philippines has an embassy in Abuja, Nigeria and a consulate in Lagos. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
PH fends off 1,200 daily cyberattacks —PNP chief
The Philippines is facing a relentless wave of cyber threats, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) reporting that it fends off around 1,200 cyberattacks every day, while also struggling with being ranked No. 1 in the world for child online exploitation and guarding sensitive biometric data of its citizens. This was highlighted by former PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil during a recent forum on cybercrime and artificial intelligence, underscoring both the scale of the threats and the gaps in defense. 'Ang problema ng cybersecurity at cybercrime, it's about funding. Every day we are being attacked, 1,200 cyberattacks,' Marbil said. (The problem of cybersecurity and cybercrime is about funding. Every day we are being attacked, 1,200 cyberattacks.) PH ranks first in child exploitation cases During the forum, Marbil acknowledged that the country continues to be a global hotspot for child online sexual exploitation, with international partners stepping in to help provide research and tools to monitor criminal activity. 'Number one po ang Philippine sa problema ng child exploitation. Yung European countries tumutulong sila magbigay ng research and development para makakita tayo ng mga problema sa dark web,' he said. (The Philippines is number one in the problem of child exploitation. European countries are helping provide research and development so we can detect problems on the dark web.) Biometric data at risk He also pointed out that the PNP currently holds the biometric data of Filipinos, including fingerprints and facial recognition, but admitted vulnerabilities in managing this sensitive information. 'Bakit importante itong cybersecurity? Kayo lahat na Pilipino, hawak namin ang biometric data ninyo. Lahat. So, may time po, as the chief of the Philippine National Police, we have to protect your data. And maraming nawala, but of course, nabawi namin,' he said. (Why cybersecurity is important. We have the biometric data of all Fiipinos. All Filipinos. So there was a time when I was the chief of the Philippine National Police, we have to protect your data. But a lot of it was lost. But we were able to recover it.) With this, he raised concerns about data privacy and protection of national databases, especially with growing risks of cyber intrusions. Beyond technology and funding, he emphasized that citizen awareness remains the weakest link in cybersecurity, warning that even the best systems can fail if individuals are not vigilant. 'The weakest link here is the awareness ng ating mamamayan. Awareness is the frontline defense,' he stressed. (The weakest link here is the awareness of our citizens. Awareness is the frontline defense.) The PNP chief urged the public to practice caution online while the government works to strengthen defenses against cyberattacks and child exploitation networks. The forum, organized by the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines (CSCP), titled "Secure Horizons 2025" was held at the Manila Ballroom, Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- GMA Network
PH envoy says US request for Quiboloy extradition has been with DOJ since June
"I can confirm the documents/evidence for the extradition request are all now with the DOJ. They have been there since June," Romualdez told GMA News Online. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said the US's request for the extradition of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was sent to the Philippine government as early as June. Romualdez said the extradition request, as well as the documents and pieces of evidence in Quiboloy's cases, are already with the Department of Justice. "I can confirm the documents/evidence for the extradition request are all now with the DOJ. They have been there since June," Romualdez told GMA News Online. Romualdez said US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla are expected to meet next week to discuss the issue. GMA News Online is seeking comment from the DOJ regarding the extradition request that was transmitted in June and the expected meeting between the secretary and the US ambassador. In a message to reporters, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said the DOJ had no information yet on the extradition request. When asked if an individual facing charges in the country may be extradited, Clavano said courts may act on cases with urgency to prevent delaying a valid extradition. 'The rule is that he must first face trial and, if convicted, serve his sentence here before extradition may proceed,' he said. 'However, courts retain the power to act on cases with urgency, so if circumstances warrant, we may move to resolve proceedings in order not to unduly delay a valid extradition request,' he added. The US Embassy in Manila referred the question to the US Department of Justice when asked for comment. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- GMA Network
P500M worth of shabu seized after fleeing pick-up falls into canal in Zamboanga City
A pick-up truck carrying over half a billion pesos worth of alleged shabu fell into a canal after it attempted to flee from police in Zamboanga City on Tuesday evening. According to John Consulta's report in '24 Oras' on Wednesday, the vehicle was severely damaged after the accident. Earlier, its driver ignored a police checkpoint and tried to evade the pursuing cops. Upon inspection of the stricken pick-up, authorities recovered two pieces of luggage containing so-called 'tsaa-bu' or shabu packed inside Chinese tea bags. The 46-year-old driver of the vehicle was arrested. Meanwhile, the other occupants, his wife and child, were injured. Police said the suspect brought them along to make it appear that they were traveling to a family activity. However, police had already monitored the movement of the pick-up truck which was supposed to deliver drugs to a province in the Zamboanga Peninsula. GMA Integrated News is trying to seek comment from the suspect, who is now under the custody of the Zamboanga City Police. The police said they are now backtracking the suspected narcotics in order to trace their source. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
