Quiz : MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY

I. IDENTIFICATION:

1. Media consisting of paper and ink, reproduced in a printing process that is traditionally
mechanical.
2. Media such as radio and television that reach target audiences using airwaves as
the transmission medium.
3. Media with contents organized and distributed on digital platforms.
4. The co-existence of traditional and new media.
5. Social network is an example of what media ?
6. What are the 4 types of libraries ?
7. These are libraries found in Colleges and Universities.
8. This library serve students from kindergarten to Senior High.
9. Libraries that serve cities and towns of all types.
10. Libraries that are in specialized environments, such as hospitals, corporations, museums,
the military, private business, and the government.

II. Sources of information or evidence are often categorized as primary, secondary, or

tertiary material. These classifications are based on the originality of the material and the
proximity of the source or origin. This informs the reader as to whether the author is
reporting information that is first hand or is conveying the experiences and opinions of
others which is considered second hand.
IDENTIFY whether following material is primary, secondary or tertiary sources,

Primary Sources Secondary Sources Tertiary Sources

Theses textbooks histories

Dissertations poems letters

Photographs diaries interviews biographies

Speeches articles that interpret or review research works manuals

Dictionaries/encyclopedias bibliographies

III. Write A if it is symbolic code, write B if it is written code, and c if it is Technical Code
1. 2. 3.

4. Aerial Shot
5. Low angle Shot

6. Zoom
 GROUP 1

The Rise of Citizen Journalism

JULY 30, 2007
tags: blogging, citizen journalism, new media, participatory
journalists, Philippines, poscasting

Witness the rise of the new breed of technocrat-journalists – the Citizen Journalists.
From the time Johannes Guttenberg invented the printing press up to the time the Internet
amazed the world, people and societies changed bizarrely and distinctively. The big question is:
Did man notice these changes? Is man aware that he is the one being programmed by the techies
he had created? Now is the time to check whether that maxim – “Mind over matter”- is already
out of context. Let’s look at the changes, reflect them with the present time, and understand how
the media will dictate our future…

The advent of technological advancement led to the intensified and dramatic demassification of
the mass media.
Less than a half-century ago, both TV and radio stations were considered as the ‘generalist’
model, offering any type of program for the general public audience based on the concept of
public service model in broadcasting. The rise of the print media shared this concept, although
the subsequent years saw a change in the usual format.At the dawn of the new millennium,
media elites began to realize the need to change the format and marketing strategy and leadership
approach, which led to the birth of demassification, a deviation from the very concept of the
word mass media specifically conceived and designed to reach a very large audience.
Traditional media
The development of technology, which brought about changes in all aspects of human life, also
introduced a new concept and hope to media elites. And this was seen about two decades ago
when the mass media was eroded by interlinked changes. The1980s saw a massive rise of FM
radio stations and an advent of more terrestrial television channels, which led to the
fragmentation of the national audience through a policy of formatting. ABS-CBN began to
realize the importance of formatting, as the station became more conscious of and responsive to
the choice of viewers where it based its program content. This saw the introduction
of “infotainment” in the country by the Lopez-owned TV station.
The end of Marcos regime was followed by a government-backed quest for cronies-owned TV
and radio stations, including newspaper companies. This situation led to the rebirth of Philippine
free press. This also took the economy of broadcasting into the market place, thus turning the
listener-viewer into consumer. These shifts rubbed away the traditional concept of the public
service model in broadcasting.
Through formatting, the content of TV, radio and newspapers, developed and evolved, as it was
based on the choice, interests and economic status of the national audience, and reflected with
the changing political climate, economic stability, and technological shift.
Age of formatting
Then came the age of telenovelas dominated by most Mexican soap operas in the early
‘90s. Marimar, a very popular TV series of the RPN the time, triggered the explosion of
Mexican-export TV dramas that satisfied the taste of most Filipino viewers. This scenario was
even triggered by the then increasing advertising placements.
In TV, the fragmentation ranges from early morning news programs like Unang Hirit (GMA7)
and Alas Singko y Media (ABS-CBN) intended for office-goers preparing for work to children-
oriented programs like cartoons for kids preparing for school to talk shows for housewives and
housemaids to lunch-time variety shows like Eat Bulaga and Wowowee for the general viewers
to primetime news programs like 24 Oras and TV Patrol World and to teledramas for the drama
addicts. Documentary and other public affairs programs are saved for insomniacs and graveyard-
shift workers.
In print, aside from the main course, which is the news page, national broadsheets
like Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, and Manila Bulletin, offer sections like
entertainment, life style, business, sports, world news, and even obituaries. There’s also this
Sunday-treat job section for job-seekers, a manifestation that the burgeoning number of jobless is
part of the of editors’ target market. Apparently, this is goaded by the fact that there is a big
fraction of unemployed in the country.
Fragmentation
Also in print, fragmentation extended to the introduction of new types of reading materials. A
very good example of this was the rise of comics in the 80’s and early 90’s. Its reach depends on
the age, choice and interests of the reading public. There are comics for kids, adults, anime
fanatics, Marvel followers, cartoon addicts, and even sports enthusiasts.
In magazines, aside from the usual political, adult, entertainment, sports and lifestyle periodicals,
now included in newsstands are readings offering such genres as computer, games, tools and
gadgets, technology, cars, jobs, cooking, self-help, etc.
FM stations are also scrambling to take their share in the pie. Now there are FM stations for hip-
hops, nerdy, classic-lovers, pop fanatics, RNB and rock listeners, etc.
So media business has now become a take-your-pick trend. Unlike in the past, DJs of most FM
station now deliver their spiel in the vernacular or taglish, a manifestation that most listeners
were already tired of the usual formal or classic type of disk jockeying.
New technology
But the story does not stop there. With the arrival of internet and cellphone technology, media
elites now have something to chew about. A new technology, which bred, and continuously
breeds, new trends and cultures, has come to defy the usual order of things in print and in
broadcast journalism- offering a different kind of space for media-users, but giving media
entrepreneurs a run for their money.
With the sophistication of mobile phones, you can now watch your favorite TV show, or visit
your preferred website, or check your latest email message via this hand-held, portable gizmo.
On the other hand, Internet seems making things possible. With the use of computer, you can
now do two or so things at a time- like listening to your favorite radio station while playing
internet game, or scanning your favorite online news organization while surfing. That is,
multitasking- doing certain tasks at a time. Now people don’t have to be restricted to the pages of
the newspaper they read.
Through internet, one can shop, gamble, place bet, listen, watch, interact, play, surf… name it.
You can do it all through the net. This technology also introduced words with new meaning such
as surf, burn, boot, window, etc, and also new words like google, screensaver,
modem, podcasting, etc.
So how do we link internet to the demassification of the mass media? How does it change the
formatting, choice, system, and the so-called media culture?
Aside from the fact that internet is a very vital aspect in the military, in business, and in almost
all areas of social, political and human life, it is also a very powerful tool in decision-making,
and in tilting the balance of man’s most sensitive organ – the human brain.
Internet blogging
Because many are now dependent on the net, it can be said that it is a last stand for freedom.
Did you surf the net lately? If you did, then you must be familiar with the different sites that
usually pop up on your computer screen whenever you google via the search engine. Sites like
Yahoo!, google, youtube.com are among the most popular sites that internet-users visit.
Through World Wide Web, anybody can create his own web site or post his blogs. Podcasting is
also part of the Internet feature that allows e-users to distribute multimedia files, such as audio
and video through the Internet. It has now become the largest marketplace of ideas, making it the
most influential and the most powerful tool ever invented in history.
Based on the two surveys conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 8 million
American adults say they have created blogs, and blog readership jumped 58% in 2004 and now
stands at 27% of internet users. This established new contours for the blogosphere.
It said that 12% of internet users have posted comments or other material on blogs, while 62% of
internet users do not know what a blog is.
A weblog or blog, according to wikipedia.com, is a type of website where entries are made
(such as in a journal diary), displayed in a reverse chronological order. It often provides
commentary or news and information on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local
news; some function as more personal online diaries.
Individual’s preferences or choices of sports or news are just fingertips away. Analysts admit
that the growing patronage of the public of the Internet has caused the decline in the readership
of newspapers, and in the viewership of television channels.

The World Wide Web

The net also paved the way for the rise of young business-minds who ventured into cyber trade.
Some people who cannot afford to establish a very costly newspaper company or TV station saw
the future of journalism in the World Wide Web.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) is the pioneer in the country among
media organizations that ventured into online journalism. The PCIJ, which caused the ouster of
former Pres. Joseph Estrada owing to its series of critical exposes, saw the importance of web
blog in attracting media patronage, in establishing a strong following that actively interact and
participate in public online discussion, and in expanding its area of influence.
The internet really is truly a free market of ideas. It’s entirely democratic, unrestrained,
unlimited, although its impact is seen to be perilous to a certain number of internet-users like the
young people.
Generally, Internet serves as an alternative to the traditional mass media. It also serves as a
vacuum-filler to whatever these media cannot or fail to offer to the growing number of media
users. However, it cannot be denied that the Internet is the potent competitor of radio, TV and the
print media. It provides more comprehensive fragmented preferences that hook on users of
varying choices and interests. Now sports enthusiasts can just google their preferred sports and
they don’t have to scan the pages of a newspaper that offer a buffet-type of options.
The search- or see-all-you-can capability of the Internet commands a growing patronage among
media users, and these factors may result in the shrinking in the patronage of the traditional mass
media.
Advantages and criticisms
It may be true that one of the advantages of online journalism is the compliance with that
primary element in journalism that is timeliness. But it is necessary that a journalist is bound to
observe deference to the Journalist Code of Ethics to see to it that he got the correct
information for his article.
A journalist’s job is not to get information out to the public as soon as possible, but to it make
sure the information is credible and unassailable.
The gradual rise of citizen journalism helps media editors in many ways. Through their blogs,
participatory journalists inform editors of their choices and interests. Bloggers also update the
editors whether there is a need “to kill or not to kill” a particular story. Most of the time bloggers
react to issues that directly and largely affect them. In the country, the PCIJ has probably the
most number of participatory journalists or bloggers.
The PCIJ allows bloggers to react to its stories. This mutual relationship provides for a space
where bloggers can post their comments on a particular issue, thus, giving the writer an idea
whether to do further investigation, or make a follow-up on a certain story. This system also
keeps the flow of ideas, and warrants public opinion or discussion.
According to the MNSBC, the internet is a growing source of the traditional media. Internet
users are more likely to use streaming audio and video for media coverage of breaking news. In
the United States, a survey shows that 65% of American internet users often use internet as a
source of news which outshines magazines and is closely reaching radio and television.
It was said that over 600 million people world wide access the internet daily in universities,
libraries, cafes and homes. The web is now rapidly being adopted as the primary source for
information in the workplace. When news breaks during the day, expect working people to turn
to online news. More and more people in the work place utilize the net as a primary news media
source. As the internet medium matures, more people are trying online news media.
The participatory journalists
This situation is giving the traditional media elites the creeps whether to change their format or
initiate a change in style or approach or join the bandwagon. As a lot of people are turning to
online news media, more and more young minds see a sheer business opportunity in the net.
A small number of citizens or participatory journalists is likewise expanding. In some ways,
participatory journalists are being utilized by established news organizations to further expand
their market. There’s a possibility that these new breed of media men would learn to break into
online business, thus, paving the way for the rise of new media elites.
Citizen journalists are now making waves in the cyberspace.
One reason why most people now turn to the net is because of the incessant technological
innovation, which makes the cost of both computer and Internet service cheaper and the tag price
of online domain more affordable. Rental fees were also made easy to pay these days allowing
kids and teenagers to join cyber activities.
By and large, the rise of this new medium offering one-in-all capabilities gives a new hope to
some inferior sectors – such as political, social, religious, ethnic, academic and civic sectors, and
any other cause oriented groups. This may foster what this writer calls the “Sectarian Concept,”
meaning, the internet can be or may possibly be used by sectors neglected or on the rise to
advance or pole-vault their own interests.
Democracy vs. anarchy
In the Philippines, the PCIJ also experienced similar political intimidation and business pressure
after the group published critical online articles of the Arroyo administration, particularly about
the “Hello, Garci” controversy.
Aside from its usual text format, PCIJ also allows its readers to place blogs and podcast. It also
has a radio channel to further give its followers a clearer sound bits and audio presentation of a
particular issue of the day.
On the other hand, the cyberspace is also being used as a propaganda machine. Political and even
pseudo-religious extremists saw the importance of the net in indoctrination. The superstructures
(e.g. governments) use this new medium (another powerful superstructure) to disseminate their
interests and intentions.
Definitely, Internet is now becoming the melting pot of peoples’ ideas, interests, intentions and
deeds. One way or another, this technology will give birth to a new kind of civilization.
That’s why there is a possibility that the cultures that we have today may be replaced by some
different, bizarre kinds of norms in the future.
Perhaps, suffice it to say that while we live in this status quo, let’s smell and enjoy the so-called
democracy that we have now for tomorrow we will see a new brand of ‘anarchy’ brought about
by these indulging new media.

Answer the following questions :

What is Citizen Journalism? What are the advantages of Citizen Journalism? Cite some
examples.
• How does the Internet change the way news is reported? Do media companies limit their
stories to their
journalists only? Why/why not?
• What are the issues of Citizen Journalism? What mechanisms do they have to prove the
accuracy of their
stories?
• Do you think making ordinary citizens news reporters on TV or online develops more
awareness on news
content and mass media literacy?
Synthesize your answers by creating a mind map. The mind map may be drawn and written on
cartolina or
Manila paper, or be done through presentation software. Discuss the answers as a group and
be sure that the
reporters are ready to present the mind map to class.
 GROUP 2

Tourism in Southern Cebu gets digital

boost from Talk ‘N Text, Internet.org

MYCEBU PARTNERS AUGUST 12, 2015

FacebookTwitter
FOUR eco-tourism groups in Aloguinsan, Cebu are now ready to move to the digital space after
attending the Panalo Community Training sponsored by Talk ‘N Text (TNT), the value brand of
Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), and organized by Grassroots Travel, a local company
working with communities to help promote responsible and sustainable travel.

During the four-day training, the participants were able to create a demo website for their
community groups. They also learned about travel trends, branding and packaging, blogging,
photography, videography, social media marketing and analytics, online and digital marketing
tools, and responsible use of the Internet.

Boboi Costas, founder of Grassroots Travel, talks about sustainable eco tourism during the four-
day Panalo Community Training in Aloguinsan, Cebu sponsored by Talk ‘N Text. During the
training, members of people’s organizations who run eco-tourism programs in the town were
 able to create a demo website for their community groups and learned about travel trends,
branding and packaging, blogging, photography, videography, social media marketing and
analytics, online and digital marketing tools, and responsible use of the Internet.

“We are happy to support Aloguinsan people’s organizations (POs) because we see their
commitment to promote their town through eco-tourism. The goal of the Panalo Community
trainings is to help them provide better tourism experience by going digital,” said Smart Public
Affairs-VisMin Senior Manager Atty. Maria Jane C. Paredes.

Eco-tourism associations
Aloguinsan Mayor Cynthia Moreno, during the closing remarks, also thanked the communities
for taking the lead in promoting Aloguinsan. “Kamo, ang mga local community dinhi
sa Aloguinsan, ang nagdala sa pangalan sa atong lungsod nga mailhan sa tibuok probinsya sa
Sugbo, sa tibuok nasud ug sa kalibutan. Diba, nindot kaayo palandungon? (You (the local
communities) made Aloguinsan known in the province of Cebu, in the country, and in the world.
That’s really wonderful.),” said Mayor Moreno.

The participants of the training are members of four associations managing four different eco-
tourism activities in Aloguinsan: Baetas or Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (Bojo River
cruise), Kea or Kantabogon Ecotourism Association (The Hermit’s Cove), Chat or Cultural
Heritage for Aloguinsan Tourism (organic farm and culinary), and Arra or Aloguinsan Reef
Rangers Association (snorkeling and dolphin-watching).

Atty. Haidee Acuña talks about the responsible use of the Internet during the training.

Internet.org initiative
The Panalo Community trainings are part of TNT’s campaign to promote Internet.org to
empower communities by providing free access to 30 websites using mobile devices. A
Facebook-led initiative, Internet.org aims to make mobile Internet services available to two-
thirds of the world who are not yet connected. Currently, over 4.5 million Filipinos use
Internet.org.
Some of the sites that can be accessed without data charges are Accuweather and Rain Check for
weather updates; Ask.com, Bing Search, WikiHow and Wikipedia for general information;
BabyCenter and MAMA for pregnancy and childcare; Interaksyon.com, Inquirer.net,
PhilStar.com, GMA News Online, Rappler and Sun.Star for news updates;

ESPN and Spin.ph for sports updates; PEP.ph for entertainment news; Facts for Life for health
and hygiene; iMoney.ph and Your Money for personal finances, JobStreet.com for job search;
Facebook and Messenger; OLX for online shopping; Sakay.ph for bus and train directions;
TESDA for free programs and training; Wattpad for books and stories; and Dictionary.com.

First of 3 modules
TNT subscribers who are Android users may download the Internet.org app on Google Play
Store while non-Android users can access the site by typing www.internet.org on their mobile
browser. For step-by-step instructions, text INTERNET to 9999 or visit
talkntext.com.ph/internetorg.

Participants gather after the day’s session.

The Panalo Community training in Aloguinsan is the first of three modules designed by TNT and
Grassroots Travel to help POs maximize the use of online and digital technologies in promoting
eco-tourism in their town. The other two modules will cover resilient and sustainable tourism;
and effective customer service as well as online mobile payments, respectively.

The same set of trainings will be held in three other towns in Southern Cebu namely Boljoon,
Samboan, and Santander. (Press Release)

Answer the following guide questions and discuss your answers as a group:
• How did the Internet help in promoting tourism in Aloguinsan, Cebu?
• How did it improve the lives of the local community?
• If you could apply the Aloguinsan digital experience to your community, what local tourist
spots, culture, or
practices would you promote? Why?
Synthesize your answers by creating a mind map. The mind map may be drawn and written on
cartolina or Manila paper, or be done through presentation software. Discuss the answers as a
group and be sure that the reporters are ready to present the mind map to class.
 GROUP 3

Inside job? Senior citizen loses P159,000 via unauthorized online transfer

MANILA - A senior citizen lost P159,000 in savings from a local bank via unauthorized online fund
transfer despite never using his account to transfer funds.

In an interview, businessman Carlos D. Malibiran said Akinto Marketing Corporation opened a

payroll account in his name at Union Bank Aurora-Balete Drive branch in July 2013.

Malibiran, 72, said he worked as a consultant for Akinto, earning P30,000 a month as consultancy
fee, which was deposited regularly to his account.

He said he used the original PIN supplied by the bank to check on his balance online via the Union
Bank website but never made a withdrawal, saying he usually withdrew his money over the counter.

During the second quarter of 2014, the Union Bank website rejected the PIN code that Malibiran
used to check on his account.

Malibiran said he asked his secretary to call the branch manager, identified as Christian Dumlao, who
said that the Union Bank website usually asked for additional information online as an added security
measure.

"Ganyan talaga po for your additional protection," he recalled the manager as saying.

Malibiran then continued to use his account for one to two months.

He last made a P20,000 over-the-counter withdrawal from his account at Union Bank on June 5,
2014 and then decided he wanted to let the money accumulate for a while so that he would have cash
before Christmas.

Without his knowledge, the monthly consultancy fees that were being deposited to his account twice
a month were being withdrawn via online fund transfer.

As a result, a total of P159,000 were withdrawn from his account without his knowledge from July to
October 2014.

"When I asked my secretary to call the manager about the balance, the manager said: 'Bakit, may ine-
expect ba kayo na papasok na pera?' Sabi niya wala kasi ine-expect namin may P159,000 na diyan.
Ang sabi ng manager: 'Hindi ho, mam. 53 pesos na lang," Malibiran said.

A check on his transaction records showed that the online withdrawals were being done every start of
the month on July and August 2014.

The withdrawals then increased in frequency and were being done on the same day that funds were
being deposited to the account.

Consultant Carlos Malibiran gestures as he answers questions during an interview at the ABS-CBN headquarters on Friday. The
NBI has warned banks against syndicates who are victimizing depositors in massive fraud and phishing scams. Photo by
Jonathan Cellona for ABS-CBNnews.com

TRANSACTIONS

JULY 1, 2014 - P39,000 - WITHDRAWAL VIA ONLINE FUND TRANSFER

JULY 14, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT

JULY 28, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT

AUGUST 1, 2014 - P30,000 - WITHDRAWAL VIA ONLINE FUND TRANSFER

AUGUST 13, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT

AUGUST 28, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT

AUGUST 28, 2014 - P30,000 - WITHDRAWAL VIA ONLINE FUND TRANSFER

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 - P30,000 - WITHDRAWAL VIA ONLINE FUND TRANSFER

OCTOBER 13, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT

OCTOBER 14, 2014 - P15,000 - WITHDRAWAL VIA ONLINE FUND TRANSFER

OCTOBER 28, 2014 - P15,000 - PAYROLL CREDIT

OCTOBER 28, 2014 - P15,000 - WITHDRAWAL VIA ONLINE FUND TRANSFER

"Hindi ito authorized. I have never authorized anybody to withdraw from my account," Malibiran
said.

Malibiran's secretary and Akinto's accounts manager also went to the bank to complain but were told
that the funds were transferred to different depositors.

When they asked for the names of these accounts, the manager refused because the bank secrecy law
disallows the release of information about depositors.

The manager also promised to forward the matter to Union Bank's anti-fraud department, which
investigated the case.

On November 2014, Malibiran also sent a demand letter through his lawyers, asking for a
reimbursement of his missing funds. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas.

PHISHING?

On January 12, 2015, the business manager of Union Bank Aurora-Balete Drive branch sent a letter
to Malibiran saying that his account's credentials were compromised, which allowed the
unauthorized fund transfers.

"You have stated that the withdrawals were unauthorized, and it is rather unfortunate that your
account's credentials were at some point compromised and made known to a third party who then
used the information to perpetrate the withdrawals," the letter read.

"Typically, the information is gathered through a phishing email which pretends to be from a
legitimate source and asking to verify the account holder's personal information for some made-up
reasons. They would then direct the client to a counterfeit website and ask to input account
credentials."

Malibiran's personal secretary Pamela Darunday, however, refuted the bank's explanation. She said
she only used the Union Bank's website to check the balance of the account.

She also said they have never received any e-mail from the bank, asking for information on
Malibiran or directing them to click on a link.

"All the withdrawals before July 2014 were done over-the-counter and never online," she said.

Akinto's accounting manager Roderick Ramos also told ABS-CBN News that they removed 41
payroll accounts from Union Bank Aurora-Balete Drive branch after discovering the theft. The
payroll accounts are now with a different bank, he said.

Malibiran said he is disappointed that Union Bank cannot protect their depositors even while
promoting their online banking system.

"They should have safety nets and explain it to their depositors. In all previous online inquiries, they
were okay. Tapos nung bandang huli, ayaw nang tanggapin. Website nila yun," he said.

He said he is also surprised that the funds were being withdrawn on the same day that the money was
credited to his account.

"The bank knows to whom the money went and yet they have not exerted any effort to inquire to that
depositor 'bakit ka nagkaroon ng ganito? Saan ba nanggaling yan? Malabnaw ang safety net. Dapat
extra effort from the bank despite the secrecy. Pakiramdam ko inside job from the bank."

He also said he plans to make an appeal to the Bangko Sentral to make a ruling on the matter in the
interest of depositors.
OTHER BANK DEPOSITORS LOSE MONEY

Malibiran's case of missing money is not the first to be reported.

A TV Patrol report earlier described the case of Union Bank depositor Marlene Atienza who also lost
P115,000 from her account a day after she checked her balance.

Atienza said the funds were also transferred to another account via online bank transfer.

"Nagulat ako P400 na lang laman ng account," she said. "Pinakita ko sa branch manager at agad
naman na-trace nila."

Another depositor, Bernadeth Ong, lost P20,000 from her account, which was withdrawn from
Ortigas. Ong, however, lives in Davao City and has never been to Ortigas.

"Ang sabi nila baka na-skimming," she said.

Frane Ong, Union Bank depositor from Cagayan de Oro, said he also lost P90,000 from his account
right after checking his balance on the Union Bank website.

"Nagtaka ako, akala ko nung una error lang. Baka sa system. Lumampas 150 days wala pa ring
nangyayari," he said.

EXCL: Ilang depositor, nawalan ng pera sa online banking, ATM

ABS-CBN News also learned about one bank depositor whose account showed funds being
deposited and withdrawn on the same day, without his knowledge.

Union Bank Executive Vice President Genaro Lapez earlier said Union Bank, just like other banks,
has issued and continues to issue advisories to the public, warning them against these scams.

"These can be seen in our website, in our posters, in our ATMs and in various media in order to
promote awareness to our clients," he said in a statement.

However, he also pointed out that in cases of phishing "where the client unknowingly volunteers
his/her personal information to scammers, the bank does not reimburse the cash lost by the client."

BSP Assistant Governor Johnny Noe Ravalo said depositors who are victimized by phishing scams
should file a complaint with the Bangko Sentral so that the BSP can act on the matter.

He said the BSP is also looking into how banks protect their clients against all kinds of fraud.

"We can go to banks and rate them from 1 to 4. 3 and 4 will be passing. 1 and 2 means the bank has
big problems," he said.

Share

Read More: online fund transfer phishing union bank fund transfer cybercrime

Answer the following guide questions and discuss your answers as a group:
• How can you tell if someone is phishing on your account?
• How did Mr. Malibiran lose his money in the bank? Narrate the incident.
• Do you think online banking is still safe? How can you avoid becoming a victim of phishing?
Synthesize your answers by creating a mind map. The mind map may be drawn and written on
cartolina or
Manila paper, or be done through presentation software. Discuss the answers as a group and
be sure that the
reporters are ready to present the mind map to class.
 GROUP 3

Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific

Human trafficking in Asia going online

3 May 2014

Authors: Alistair D. B. Cook and Caitríona H. Heinl, RSIS

Human traffickers have an increasing number of targets online in

Southeast Asia. The ASEAN region has a growing population of over
600 million — and internet users have doubled. Technology-facilitated
trafficking is more diffuse and adaptive than initially thought, but
online tools can also be creatively employed to counter cross-border
trafficking.
The explosion in mobile phone usage in the region facilitates real-time
communication and coordination by traffickers to recruit, harbour,
transport, and provide higher numbers of victims for commercial
sexual activity or forced labour.
This in turn broadens their horizon and increases their reach. The
sharp incline in mobile broadband subscribers is also driving the
explosion in global connectivity according to the United Nations Office
of Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Levels of cybercrime are increasing as
individual and organised criminal groups exploit new opportunities
without the need for complex skills. For instance, online social media
allows for new ways to facilitate people trafficking, distribution of child
abuse material, and new avenues for recruiting victims.
Although ASEAN signed the Declaration Against Trafficking in Persons,
Particularly Women and Children, no significant progress on
implementing the Declaration has been made. In particular, this is
because East Asian countries are a major source for long-distance,
transregional trafficking. In the most recent UNODC Global Report on
Trafficking in Persons, East Asia and the Pacific account for nearly 40
per cent of detected child victims. Also, victims from this region are
the most geographically dispersed — found in more than 60 countries.
Trafficking networks seek children for illegal adoption, commercial
sexual exploitation, drug trafficking and child labour. Children under
18 using social media platforms often fall victim to traffickers. In the
first instance, a young person might receive a friend notification from
an unknown person but still accept the request. They increase
exchanges, agree to meet and after continued social media interaction
they meet again. The child subsequently gets trafficked and this is how
an estimated one quarter of children reported missing in Indonesia are
thought to have met their captors on social media platforms like
Facebook.
In February 2014, Chinese authorities rescued 382 babies and
arrested more than 1000 people suspected of buying and selling young
children online. This followed a six-month operation in which
authorities were made aware of a website promoting private
adoptions. Law enforcement authorities subsequently uncovered an
online black market that connected buyers and sellers over four
websites, online forums and some 30 groups on a popular Chinese
messaging platform.
Law enforcement is increasingly improving and developing methods
such as victim-identification databases and data mining/analytics to
improve forensic processes. However, governments in the ASEAN
region need a multi-pronged strategy that focuses on prosecutions,
raises awareness, and involves the private sector. Singapore
developed the National Plan of Action for 2012–15 which identifies a
‘4P’ strategy of prevention, prosecution, protection and partnership.
Along with the exponential increase in people accessing the internet
throughout Asia, digital activism will develop and grow. There have
been several advances in anti-human trafficking responses, such as
the US government’s pro-active policy of combatting human trafficking
and corporate social responsibility schemes. While most innovation in
this field emanates from the United States and Europe, many realise
the need to adapt these technological advances to the needs of people
in Asia.
The Virtual Global Taskforce brings law enforcement agencies, NGOs
and industry partners together to protect children from online child
abuse. In 2012 Operation Endeavour — an Australian, UK, US and
Filipino law enforcement effort through the Virtual Global Taskforce —
used online tools such as data mapping to identify areas in the
Philippines where child abuse material was transmitted. Operation
Endeavour led to 29 international arrests, 11 of which were in the
Philippines — dismantling an organised crime group that had
coordinated the live streaming of on-demand child sexual abuse.
In October 2013, the Taken Campaign launched the first anti-
trafficking mobile phone application to mark Anti-Slavery Day in
London. In 2013, an anti-trafficking mobile phone application was
developed by RedLight Traffic in the US. Along with the Polaris Project
(a US-based NGO), the app provides users with potential trafficking
indicators and red flags to identify victims, a 20-minute training
exercise to recognise trafficking, an anonymous way to report
suspected cases to local authorities, and a sharing tool to establish a
local community network against human trafficking.
Also, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), UNODC and UNESCO
joined forces in March 2014 to promote a global campaign, ‘Your
Actions Count — Be a Responsible Traveller’. The campaign was
launched with private sector support from Marriott International and
Sabre Holdings who will promote it to customers through their
websites (Travelocity and lastminute.com), online booking tools, their
TripCase mobile app and GetThere booking tool.
These types of multi-stakeholder initiatives are sustainable and raise
awareness — so are particularly significant for the Asia-Pacific which is
regarded as a source and destination area for trafficked persons.

Several multi-stakeholder approaches in the US and Europe are using

ICT to tackle human trafficking through the use of online petitions,
data mapping and awareness-raising activities. It is difficult for law
enforcement authorities and governments to tackle this threat alone.
Therefore, meaningful collaboration between a range of stakeholders
and public-private cooperation are essential to fight trafficking, and
counter criminals’ increasing use of ICT in Southeast Asia.

Alistair D. B. Cook and Caitríona H. Heinl are Research Fellows with the
Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies and Centre of
Excellence for National Security (CENS) at the S. Rajaratnam School of
International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University.

Answer the following guide questions and discuss your answers as a group:
• Was there progress in the fight to stop human trafficking after ASEAN signed the
Declaration Against
Trafficking in Persons, Particularly Women and Children?
• What is the percentage of child victims of human trafficking in the ASEAN Region?
• How does the Internet contribute to the increased number of human trafficking cases?
Do you think that the
Internet can be used as a tool to victimize people? Explain your answer.
• Suggest at least 3 ways to help stop human trafficking.
Synthesize your answers by creating a mind map. The mind map may be drawn and
written on cartolina or
Manila paper, or be done through presentation software. Discuss the answers as a
group and be sure that the
reporters are ready to present the mind map to class.