By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) warned the public against “quishing,” or QR (quick response) code phishing, a scam that uses malicious QR codes to steal personal and banking information.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, ACG chief Maj. Gen. Wilson Asueta on Wednesday urged users to verify that QR codes come from legitimate sources before scanning them, and reminded the public to remain vigilant and think before scanning QR codes to avoid falling victim to cybercriminals.
“Hindi lahat ng nakapost sa QR stores ay nilagay ng authorized owner ng QR code. Mag-ingat tayo, doon lang tayo sa mga legitimate at authorized QR code na binigay sa inyo. Palagi tayong maging mapanuri dito kasi maraming nagbibigay ng QR code para mag-access kayo doon to get information especially asking for money, of course to include yung mga personal information na nandun sa inyong response sa QR Code (Not everything posted on QR stores was posted by the authorized owner of the QR code. Be careful, only use legitimate and authorized QR codes that are given to you. We should always be careful here because many people give you QR codes to access them to get information, especially asking for money, of course, to include the personal information that is there in your response to the QR Code),” he said.
Asueto said they have received reports of individuals scanning QR codes leading them to websites that lured them into giving personal and financial information.
“Itong scams, nag-eevolve din ito sa trend ng technology. Kaya ang sinasabi ko kailangan laging tandaan maging mapanuri at huwag magpaloko (Scams are evolving with the technology’s trends… That’s why I’m saying we always have to remember to be observant and vigilant),” he added.
Asueta also encouraged the public to stay alert and exercise caution to protect themselves from online scams.
“We have a way to verify and validate itong mga scammers na naggamit ng (scammers used) QR Code, of course always in partnership with the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry). They are official(ly) monitoring online selling stores activities, we will have a partnership with them, and of course through our legal ways of application of cyber warrants,” he said.
Online scams down
Asueta also reported there has been a decline in cases of online scams in the first half of 2026 amid the public’s better awareness of the modus.
Data shared by the PNP ACG showed it recorded 4,509 online scam cases from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2026, down from the 5,526 incidents recorded during the same period in 2025.
“Masasabi ko (it’s) with the help nating lahat, lalong-lalo na ng media sa cyber awareness and education campaign natin (I can say it’s with the help of all of us, especially with the media in cyber awareness and our education campaign),” he said.
“Nakikita ko with the support ng iba’t ibang grupo, lalong-lalo na ang mga private and public partners, to include itong mga financial establishments (na) they are promoting cyber awareness (I see the support of other groups, particularly the private and public partners, to include the financial establishments who are promoting cyber awareness).”
Asueta underscored the group’s continued commitment to protecting the public from cyber-enabled crimes.
“Our cybercops remain relentless in pursuing cybercriminals and strengthening our operational efforts to ensure a safer and more secure cyberspace for all,” he said.
Cyber patrols for SONA
Meanwhile, Asueta said the PNP-ACG has not monitored any cybersecurity threats ahead of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.
Asueta said their unit has intensified its online monitoring in the lead-up to the President’s annual address to a joint session of Congress.
“We haven’t seen a threat so far, but we are monitoring who might take advantage of the situation,” he said.
Asueta said these operations aim to detect misinformation, coordinated influence operations, phishing attacks and online scams that may emerge during the event.
“We want to assure the public that no one will create chaos or create alarm, especially for public order at the venue of the Sona,” he added. (PNA)
