I agree with this, and sadly those scammer were also a filipino, they use the name of Bitcoin and its potential to attrack possible people they can have to give some information regarding these things, and here we all know that Philippines were not as the other country and up to now Bitcoin was not that very popular which may be use by the people to scam other and using its potential as a key to gain profit for themselves and run.
But this isn't only a problem for Philippines, we can find Ponzi all around the globe. Some local friends (in Mexico) told me they were investing in bitcoin, but their broker told them to better invest in OneCoin, he say that's better than bitcoin. If you go to google and search one coin you will see how it's a clear ponzi. Even wikipedia says it. So, the first rule to not fall into ponzi is to understand the easy money doesn't exist.