Dev Flores

Valentine's Day is approaching, and the Philippine National Police is reminding the public that scammers often exploit this season to carry out love scams.

The PNP reported six cases of love scams from January 1 to February 5, 2026. 

In fact, this year’s figure is lower than in 2025, which recorded 54 cases.

Despite the decline, the PNP stresses that this incident is ‘persistent and real’.

Love scams involve fraudsters who take advantage of someone's emotions to extract money.

“Love or romance scams typically begin with online connections where scammers pretend to be foreigners or overseas Filipino workers. They invest time in building emotional attachment, often avoiding video calls, professing love too quickly, and eventually asking for money, travel funds for a supposed meet-up, or sensitive personal details such as bank information, one-time passwords (OTP), or identification cards,” the PNP explains

The red flags that an individual must take as a sign to walk away are: avoiding video calls, asking for money and personal or sensitive information.

The PNP warns to disengage from suspicious individuals to prevent becoming a victim of a scam.

“Authorities are reminding the public never to send money, intimate photos or videos, or personal information to people they have not personally met and fully verified,” according to PNP

Additionally, PNP mentioned that the common targets of scammers are those who are ‘single, widowed, or emotionally vulnerable’.

Scammers want to take advantage of that vulnerability by building an emotional connection. Making you feel that you’re not alone, but the hidden agenda is to deceive you so that they can gain advantage from you.

Due to unceasing incidents of cyber fraud and scams in the Philippines, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) wants to build a stronger layer of protection for consumers against online fraud, lending app institutions, and online banking scams.

In light of this plan, the CICC wants to establish a partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas through signing a Memorandum of Agreement.

CICC Usec. Aboy Paraiso stated that the bank typically assumes to be absolved when an individual falls victim to a deceptive scheme.

“Ngayon, isang participation mo lang, sabi ng mga banko, “wala na kaming kasalanan diyan”. Pag kinlick mo lang yung link kahit wala ka pang binibigay na details, naa-absuwleto si bangko diyan,” he said

[“Now, in just one participation, the bank says, “we no longer have any fault there”. Once you click the link, even though you didn’t give any details, the bank absolves itself from that.”]

He further explained to implement stricter rules to protect consumers. Consumer protection would be an important step to secure and maintain individuals’ trust in the banking and financial institutions. 

However, if the clients lose their trust, both sides will be negatively affected.

He also recommends that private associations must join to the plan and work with them to craft regulations. 

“It’s a combination of technology-solution and a policy-solution,” he said

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group revealed the smarter move of the scammers. 

Scammers previously used the SMS blaster to send messages to deceive people. 

Now, they utilize an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) catcher. According to PNP-ACG, an IMSI catcher is a fake mobile tower between mobile phones and towers of original network provider to send SMS spoofing scams. This type of scam contains phishing link that brings you to fake website, then a scammer will ask your OTP (One-Time Password) to access your account.

PNP-ACG Spokesperson PLt. Wallen Arancillo revealed that scammers can still deceive people through IMSI catcher.

“So, kung nagtataka tayo na nakakatanggap tayo ng mga unwanted messages dahil po don sa mismong machine na yon,”

[“So, if you we are wondering why we receive unwanted messages, it’s because of that machine.”]

PLt. Arancillo further explained that it was huge earlier but now portable. 

She also mentioned that the PNP had earlier found scammers in Mandaluyong and Makati using IMSI catchers.

With reports from Mia Alonzo

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The MRT-3 fare will be free on February 14, 2026 for PhilHealth members. 

The free train rides will be available during peak hours, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

To avail a zero-fare benefit, members are strongly advised to present their PhilHealth ID at the counter to get a Single Journey Ticket.

This initiative is organized as part of celebrating the 31st anniversary of PhilHealth and National Health Insurance Month.

Security guards are not the same as policemen. 

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno clarifies that the distinction following the viral incident where two security guards punched the 17-year-old boy in Pasig River Esplanade. 

“Guards should be guarding property. They’re not policing the state. They’re not allowed,” he said

The incident began when the security guards confronted a minor for cycling in a crowded area, which is prohibited.

The minor reportedly refused to comply. 

The situation became physical when the minor resisted the guards, eventually leading the guards to punch the minor.

According to Lea Ylagan’s report, PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. believes the problem can be fixed through effective communication rather than physical injury.

The PNP chief has ordered a check on the validity of the guards' licenses and their security agency's credentials.

The security guards will face charges for violating RA 7610, also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act."

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The Department of Health (DOH) has revealed that the Philippines is facing serious concerns regarding the insufficient number of dentists.

DOH Usec. Emmie Liza Chiong mentioned that the dentist-patient ratio in the Philippines is 1:53,000. Meaning, there is only 1 dentist for every 53,000 individuals.

“Actually, malaki po ang gap. Ang ating ratio for every 1 dentist ay 53,000 Filipinos.”

[“Actually, the gap is huge. Our ratio for every 1 dentist is 53,000 Filipinos.”]

This is completely different from the standard of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is 1 dentist per 7,000 individuals.

The key factors contributing to the shortage of dentists include insufficient funds for oral healthcare and compensation.

Hence, the health department calls the attention of the lawmakers to approve the proposed bill concerning a salary increase for dentists.

“Ang budget lang po ng oral health ay 800 million. If you check on it, roughly, nasa 0.14% lang ang budget ng oral health,” she added

[The budget allocated for oral health is only 800 million. If you check on it, roughly, the budget for oral health is only 0.14%.”]

Usec. Chiong calls for a budget increase to buy more supplies to maintain providing necessary services for the Filipinos, especially in remote areas.

With reports from Lalaine Moreno

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