Press Release
Jul 30, 2025
In a united front against rising cyber threats and financial fraud, over 230 leaders from government agencies and private organizations convened at the 2025 BPI CyberProtect Conference in Makati City to champion stronger consumer protection and cybersecurity measures.
In photo (L-R): Maria Elena Torrijos, Head of Public Affairs and Communications, BPI; Engr. Pierre Tito Galla, Head of Security and Compliance Department, Enshored Inc.; Professor Philip Kwa, Academic Program Director, Master in Cybersecurity Program, AIM; Deputy Governor Elmore Capule of the BSP Corporate Services Sector; TG Limcaoco, President and CEO,BPI; Senator Mark Villar; Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares, Chairman of Global AI Council Philippines; Lito Averia, Co-Founder of ASEAN Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance; Atty. Richard Leo Baldueza, Secretary of Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, House of Representatives; Dr. William Yu, Network Security Expert, Secure Connections; Fitzgerald Chee, Head of Consumer Platforms, BPI; and Jonathan John Paz, Enterprise Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer, BPI.
Organized by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the conference carried the theme “Global Best Practices in Consumer Protection: New Threats, New Defenses,” and served as a platform to advance cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding Filipino consumers in an increasingly digital financial ecosystem.
In a written address by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he underscored the urgency of cybersecurity in national development, calling on public and private sectors to work together in building a resilient digital economy.
“Through the strong partnership of the government, private sector, academe, civil society, and international stakeholders, we can generate and implement global best practices, policies, and programs that will reinforce trust in digital systems and guarantee our country’s cybersecurity resilience,” said President Marcos in his written message.
BPI President and CEO Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco echoed this call, highlighting the bank’s long-standing commitment to bolstering cybersecurity through collaboration.
“At BPI, we do not take this responsibility lightly. We see ourselves as partners not only to our customers but to the nation. Together with the government, we aim to be at the forefront of this ongoing battle against cybercrime and digital risks,” Limcaoco said in his opening remarks.
BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco affirms BPI’s role as a trusted partner in safeguarding the nation against cyber threats, working closely with government to strengthen digital resilience.
Meanwhile, Jon Paz, BPI’s Enterprise Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer, reiterated BPI’s commitment to making cybersecurity a shared journey through education and collaboration.
“Protecting our customers goes beyond securing systems—it means empowering them with the knowledge they need to stay safe online,” said Paz.
Jon Paz, BPI’s Enterprise Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer, discusses how BPI is at the forefront of fighting digital scams.
The conference featured expert-led sessions tackling critical topics such as global frameworks for fraud prevention, local and international responses to financial scams, and emerging technologies in cybersecurity. The discussions also addressed the evolving regulatory landscape, including the implementation of the recently signed Republic Act No. 12010 or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA).
(L-R) Jonathan John Paz, Enterprise Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer, BPI; Professor Philip Kwa, Academic Program Director, Master in Cybersecurity Program, AIM; and Deputy Governor Elmore Capule of the BSP Corporate Services Sector discuss collaborative approaches to safeguard digital economies.
For his part, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Elmore Capule, one of the event’s key speakers, emphasized AFASA’s role in deterring financial fraud and reinforcing consumer confidence in digital banking.
AFASA criminalizes fraudulent activities involving bank accounts, e-wallets, and other digital financial platforms. These include schemes such as money muling and social engineering tactics used to deceive account holders. AFASA is designed to enhance consumer protection and uphold the integrity and trustworthiness of the country’s financial system.
“Together with our partners in government and the private sector, we are building a more robust and responsive framework to protect financial consumers and preserve the integrity of our systems,” Capule noted.
In 2024, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) agency handled 10,004 cybercrime complaints highlighting the growing scale of the threat. Noting a sharp rise from 3,317 cases in 2023—with consumer fraud accounting for 35% of all reports and total financial losses reaching nearly PHP198 million.
With the stakes higher than ever, the 2025 BPI CyberProtect Conference served not only as a knowledge-sharing platform but also as a catalyst for sustained cooperation. BPI reaffirmed its commitment to leading dialogue, advancing innovation, and strengthening cybersecurity to help build a safer, more inclusive digital future for all Filipinos.
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