Pasig city: The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Tuesday announced that an inter-agency operation in Pasig City led to the arrest of 168 employees of an online lending company accused of harassing borrowers.

According to Philippines News Agency, the operation was carried out on the 22nd floor of Robinsons Equitable Tower, which serves as the main operating hub of Creditable Lending Corporation, the company behind the online lending application Easy Peso. The operation was led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), and the PNP-CIDG, with support from the PAOCC, the National Privacy Commission (NPC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It was executed under a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 46 in Manila.

Authorities confiscated hundreds of computers and several company-issued mobile phones allegedly used for harassment during debt collection. Additionally, hundreds of pre-registered SIM cards, text blasters, and harassment scripts were seized. The raid was the culmination of months of surveillance and investigation, aided by a former employee who exposed the company's practices of misleading and harassing borrowers.

According to the PAOCC, some victims were directed to make payments to personal GCash or bank accounts under the pretense of settling their loans, only to be continuously contacted by collectors despite having cleared their debts. This operation follows a tragic incident where a man from Valenzuela City took his own life after enduring harassment from individuals affiliated with Easy Peso.

PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "May isang buhay na nawala dahil sa pang-aabuso ng isang lending app. Hindi utang ang pumatay sa kanya kundi 'yung walang-awang pangha-harass (A life was gone due to the abuses of a lending app. The victim did not die due to his debt, but due to cruel harassment)." He urged victims not to be afraid, assuring them of government support.

Meanwhile, the SEC is examining the company's legal and regulatory compliance, as its operations appear to exploit the system while falsely claiming legitimacy. Authorities are preparing charges for violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, related to the deception, harassment, and inhumane collection practices on borrowers.