‘Taskforce Firewall’ stars warn against love scams, deepfakes and online threats

MANILA, Philippines — As scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and fake online identities to target victims, the stars of GMA’s “Taskforce Firewall” are urging the public to become more vigilant about the people they meet and trust online.

Jak Roberto, who plays reformed hacker Hex Silverio, said the dangers explored in the show include love scams, in which victims are manipulated through emotional connections and fake online identities.

“Ang ibig sabihin, ’yung talaga ’yung deep fake. Nakalagay din sa start nung show, eh, na parang maraming na-scam ’yung about love scam talaga. Meron pa nga na-biktima na worth P23 million ’yun, ’yung nakuha po. Oo. More than 100,000 na daw ’yung biktima sa Pilipinas,” Jak said.

He stressed the importance of becoming aware of how AI-generated content and fake identities can be used to manipulate people.

“So, maganda ’yung maging aware sila doon sa AI generation. ’Yung mga nakakausap pa natin.... pag marupok ka, kahit ’di mo pa nakikita, ’di ba parang... sabi niya, na-hypnotize ka na, nagbibigay ka ng pera, biglang ’di mo na alam na-scam ka na naman,” he said.

Jak also advised people to be cautious whenever money becomes involved in an online relationship or transaction.

“So, maganda ’yung na-tackle namin doon kasi tulad nun, ’wag na ’wag kayong magbibigay kaagad ng pera, ’tas pagka may money involved talaga, and too good to be true, medyo mag-doubt na kayo doon. Maganda, mag-seek kayo ng help sa mga ’yung may alam talaga sa mga ganun,” he said.

Miguel Tanfelix, who portrays former soldier Galo Villareal, meanwhile, said he has nothing against AI, particularly when it is used to support education, research and other productive purposes.

“Ako, nothing against AI lalo na kung makakatulong ito sa education. Kung mas mapapadali nito ’yung buhay mo, why not gamitin mo kasi nandoon na siya, ’di ba? Malaking tulong, artificial intelligence,” Miguel said.

“Kahit ako, ginagamit ko siya ’pag may lalong gusto akong i-research,” he added.

For Miguel, the issue lies in how people choose to use the technology.

“Siguro, ang borderline lang is ’pag gagamitin mo siya sa masama, like deepfake, mame-meke ka ng mga kung ano-ano. Pero nasa tao naman kasi ’yun kung paano gagamitin, pero ako, we’re moving forward with this AI,” he said.

Jak also acknowledged how AI can help in film production but admitted that actors sometimes worry about being replaced by the technology.

“Kahit tulong, kahit sa mga movies na rin. Minsan nga, natatakot na kami baka ’di na nila kailangan artista,” Jak said.

Miguel tries directing

Meanwhile, apart from portraying Galo Villareal in “Taskforce Firewall,” Miguel was also given opportunities to help develop and direct some scenes in the series.

He recalled suggesting an additional scene involving Galo and Emma Mallari, played by Lexi Gonzales, after reviewing the script.

“Yung eksena na nasa may punching bag, tas may bench, ’yung special na tambayan ni Galo, additional sequence lang naman po siya. Parang nung binabasa ko si script, napansin ko na parang kulang pa, kulang pa ’yung hindi pa natin nami-milk ’yung eksena ni Galo and Emma. So, padagdag po ako ng eksena,” Miguel said.

He described the setting as Galo’s safe space and said he and Lexi discussed the dialogue they would deliver.

Miguel was also later asked to help direct a motorcycle scene.

“Then after that scene, ’yung nagmo-motor kami, parang isang taping day, sabi ni Direk, ‘O, sige, mag-tracking kayo. Miguel, gusto ko ikaw mag-co-direct nitong eksena na ’to.’ Sabi ko, ‘Direk, pressure naman ako,’ kasi nag-take ako ng film eh, short course film,” he recalled.

He said the director encouraged him by treating the opportunity as an exercise for his future filmmaking ambitions.

“Sabi niya, ‘No, it’s an exercise, ’di ba gusto mong maging direktor in the future? So, bibigyan kita ng exercise,’” Miguel said.

“So ako, very thankful ako na supportive si Direk sa pangarap ko in the future. And ako kasi, ano lang ako eh, tamang magtiyag lang ako sa background kung paano ’yung mga shots, pero ’yun nga, ’pag binibigyan ng opportunities na ganoon, medyo nape-pressure ako, pero andoon na ’yung opportunity, so grab ko na.”

Miguel added that he had also been given directing-related tasks on his previous series, “Mga Batang Riles.”

“Minsan sa ‘Batang Riles,’ pina-pag-direct po ako, sa second unit. Minsan kami nagko-coordinate ng fight,” he said.

Buboy Villar

Cast reflects on Tacloban shooting

Luis Hontiveros, who plays Martin, Cheska Fausto, who portrays sharpshooter lawyer Leila Aragon, and Buboy Villar, who plays tech prodigy Jhay-jhay Gonzaga, also shared their thoughts on the shocking shooting incident involving highschoolers in Tacloban.

Luis raised concerns over access to unregistered firearms and called for school safety measures to be revisited.

“Nagkaroon sila ng access sa unregistered firearms, that’s already a problem. I think it starts with that and then hopefully, you know, proper gun handling and maybe ’yung mga preventive measures within the school premises should be, studied and revisited,” the actor said.

Cheska, meanwhile, urged people to prepare a safety plan whenever they feel unsafe.

“Yes, and always be vigilant talaga, no matter what. Try to protect yourself, try to discern the situation. If you don’t feel like you’re safe, mag-ayos ng safety plan,” she said.

For Buboy, communication at home is an important part of preventing similar incidents.

“Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung ano ’yung pinaka dulo-dulo ng bakit niya naisip ’yan. Pinakamahalaga na lang para sa akin, ah, andito na lang kami, no? Andito lang naman kami para magturo kung anong kailangang ituro,” Buboy said.

“Pero pinaka-No. 1 sana mangyari is mag-usap tayo sa bahay, ’wag lang puro GC lang. Mag-usap tayo, like kumain tayo ng wala man lang sanang phone.”

He said children need guidance and a sense of security from their parents and other trusted adults.

“Kasi napakahalaga, lalo sa mga bata ngayon na ako din, lahat naman tayo dumaan sa pagkabata, mahalaga sa atin ang salita ng mga magulang. Mahalaga ’yung security sa atin ng ating mga magulang. Secure tayo, secure ’yung utak natin,” he said.

“So, mahalagang mag-usap tayo para hindi na maiwasan ’yung mga ganong senaryo. Alam natin ang tama at mali, alam natin ’yung guidelines at dahil mayroong nagsasabi sa atin, kahit hindi man ito mama at papa, tito, tita, lolo at lola, o kahit mas nakakatanda sa ’yo kapag mayroon kang napagsasabihan.”

Buboy added, “Kahit nga sa napakahalagang paraan ng pagdarasal, ’yun na lang.”

Directed by Rico Gutierrez and associate director Mark Kevin De Vela, “Taskforce Firewall” airs weeknights at 8:55 after “The Master Cutter” on GMA Prime, Heart of Asia, and online via Kapuso Stream and GMA Play, with a delayed telecast on GTV at 10:30 p.m. Global Pinoys can also watch the program via GMA Pinoy TV.