Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP) General Membership Meeting: Building a Safer Digital Space Against Scam and Online Gambling
Manila, Philippines – September 16, 2025 – For digital natives, the digital space is home and business. Too much sharing, easy access from multi-touchpoints, illegal sites, online vice and addictions.. Can we (still) be safe online? The Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP) successfully held its General Membership Meeting (GMM) at the Meta Philippines headquarters, focusing on the theme “Building a Safer Digital Space Against Scam and Online Gambling.” The event brought together CICP members and esteemed guests from the Creator Assembly to discuss pivotal strategies in combating cybercrime and promoting cybersecurity awareness.
Building a Safer Digital Space Against Scam and Online Gambling as an event further strengthens the council’s call to action on online safety and responsibility. CICP issued a public statement addressing the promotion of illegal online gambling by creators and influencers 22nd August that reads: The CICP does not condone the use of creators and influencers to promote illegal online gambling in any form.
The discussion continued the vital role of creators in educating online communities about cybercrime, online protections, and how to keep safe. The general membership meeting featured an engaging panel discussion moderated by Ace Gapuz, CEO of Blogapalooza, and current CICP Vice-president for External Engagements, joined by expert resource panellists Jocel De Guzman, Co-Founder of Scam Watch PH; Yael Alvarez, digital creator; and Brent Valdez, celebrity host, actor, and digital marketer for Eskala Digital.
The panelists formed a solid and comprehensive exchange emphasizing the importance of being responsible in creating content, choosing collaborators, and keeping yourself safe from the devices of hackers, scammers and fraudsters. Undoubtedly, the panelists included personal insights. Yael and Brent, who shared experiences of fellow creators and celebrities, their own personal contributions provided potent words of wisdom to their co-creators in the audience.
Importance of Reporting Scams to 1326 hotline
Jocel shared how he and his team spent 3 years convincing government to create and activate a taskforce where the public can report scams. Thus, the creation of the 1326 hotline. The Scam Watch PH co-founder shared 4 easy hacks to stay safe online.
Though its existence may not be known to most of the public, reporting scams to the 1326 Hotline is vital because it can help authorities gather data, track organized crime, and prevent future incidents. This collective effort not only blocks suspicious contacts and enhances community safety, but also strengthens cybersecurity and supports the development of advanced prevention strategies. Best of all, reporting to 1326 apprehends scammers.
“Every Filipino has the power to stop scams before they spread. By practicing the #KontraScamAttitude—magdamot, magduda, mang-isnab, at magsumbong—we protect not only ourselves but also our loved ones. If you encounter a scam, don’t stay silent—report it immediately to 1326,” adds Jocel.
Key learnings to keep safe online
Not only was the GMM a learning vehicle, it also proved to be enriching, full of eye-popping, data-based info, and real life public and private sector insights. Gleaning from the panel discussion, strategies for creators to effectively educate their audiences about cybercrime, i.e. scams and illegal online gambling, include:
Addressing the throng, Jel Directo, CICP President and Deputy Country Manager of Hepmil Philippines said, “You are creators. You influence a lot of people beyond your followers, and that’s something that (our talks) will highlight, because we want to ensure that you are a very responsible influence on the community. How can you best use the influence that you have?
The CICP encourages all creators and influencers to actively participate in fostering a safer digital environment. By leveraging your platforms, you can play a pivotal role in empowering communities to protect themselves against cybercrime and ensure a secure online space for all.”
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About the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP): The Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines is dedicated to empowering digital creators and influencers by providing resources, community support, and advocacy in the online space. CICP works to promote best practices and enhance the positive impact of creators in society.