By Nef Luczon

SECURITIES TALK. Officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission-Cagayan de Oro Extension Office hold a press briefing on Friday (May 15, 2026). They warned the public of investment scams and unregistered online lending applications. (Photo courtesy of Neil Maynard Conde/SEC-CDOEO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Securities and Exchange Commission-Cagayan de Oro Extension Office (SEC-CDEO) on Friday has warned the public of investment scams and unregistered online lending applications (OLAs).

During a press briefing, SEC-CDEO Director Frederick Enopia said even at the regional level in Northern Mindanao, the agency has monitored a number of local corporation registrations whose trade includes the collection of money.

“We have been proactively investigating these entities that might ask the public for investments before it becomes a bigger problem,” he said.

Enopia said that before engaging with new companies, the public is encouraged to visit the SEC office for a background check to verify that the company has a license to sell or buy investments.

Meanwhile, SEC-CDEO also noted the proliferation of OLAs in Northern Mindanao.

At the start of 2026, the office acted on numerous complaints in the region to address violations and abusive practices in the collection process by questionable investment firms involving their borrowers. (PNA)