The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has warned social media influencers and celebrities against promoting illegal online gambling.
In an interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos on Monday, July 14, CICC Deputy Executive Director Asec. Renato Paraiso said that failure to remove content promoting illegal online gambling may lead to the complete takedown of social media accounts, in coordination with major platforms.
“We told them na may consequences, pero ang napukaw talaga sila ay ang pagpapa-delete at pagpapa-take down ng content at channels nila — which is we are willing to do,” Paraiso said.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) CICC began enforcing the order last Friday, July 12, giving influencers until the end of the week to delete promotional materials linked to illegal online gambling platforms.
“Marami po kaming na-monitor. Two weeks ago sinimulan po natin ang kampanyang ito. Nakiusap po kami na magkusa na silang itigil ito at magkusa na rin silang mag-delete ng contents nila," he said.
The CICC detects 15 to 20 illegal gambling websites daily, and in coordination with PAGCOR, they plan to block up to 150 sites this week.
“In fact, parang this week I’ll be blocking 150 sites in coordination with PAGCOR,” he stated.
Paraiso revealed that many of the Top 20 influencers flagged those with some of the widest digital reach have already voluntarily removed gambling-related content.
“Karamihan sa Top 20 na minonitor namin na malalaki talaga ang reach, nagkusa na tumigil magstream, nangako na magdedelete na,” Paraiso said.
“Mga 100,000 pataas [na followers], may maiimpluwensyahan pa rin ‘yan,” he added, pointing even mid-level and micro-influencers with more than 100,000 followers are being held accountable for their content.
Paraiso made it clear that the CICC is coordinating with social media platforms to carry out full takedowns, not just of content, but of entire accounts if needed.
According to Paraiso, the agency has been in close talks with platforms like Meta (Facebook) and YouTube, which have been cooperative in cleaning up illegal gambling content.
“To be fair sa kanila, nakikipagtulungan sila sa atin… proactively si META hiningi yung listahan ng PAGCOR para sila mismo ang maglinis,” he shared.
However, Paraiso emphasized that deleting content is not enough to stop the spread. Permanent enforcement requires going after those behind the platforms.
“Hindi talaga totally matitigil ‘yan kung hindi natin mahuhuli ‘yan… nakapila na yung mga susunod nilang gagamitin,” he said.
The CICC plans to re-engage and educate the influencers for legal and responsible digital behavior when using online gambling sites.
“Iimbitahan natin ang mga influencers na ito… hihingin natin sa kanila na maging active endorsers naman sila sa tamang paglilibang sa mga illegal websites," said Paraiso.
