BY IME SORNITO AND RUBY SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Region 6 supports the measure requiring the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to help law enforcement agencies trace lawless elements that use mobile phones for nefarious activities.
The House of Representatives recently approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 5793, or the SIM Card Registration Act.
“We are very favorable of that,” said Engineer Nestor Antonio Monroy, director of NTC-6 in an interview with Panay News. “Dugay na ina gina-request, ginahandum sang mga tawo.”
According to Monroy, because there’s no regulation on prepaid and postpaid SIM cards, scammers easily sneak off their activities without a trace.
“Mabakal ka lang dira SIM dasun himuon mo katontohan, dugay-dugay ihaboy mo bakal ka naman,” Monroy said.
NTC-6 has been receiving complaints about scams such as loans or promos in raffles spread through phones. But Monroy said they could not take any action except for blocking questionable phone numbers.
It is the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) job to track down the lawless elements, he said.
Police Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda, director of CIDG-6, said running after scammers is tough without SIM cards being registered.
“This is a big challenge sa ating ahensya, but willing tayong tumulong sa mga biktima na lalapit sa ating office,” Balmaceda told Panay News.
Meanwhile, Atty. Deo Virgil R. Tan, legal counsel of NTC-6, said under the bill, every public telecommunication entity (PTE) or direct seller would require buyers a valid identification card with a photo when purchasing.
The end user will then be required to accomplish and sign a control-numbered registration form issued by the seller.
Tan said NTC-6 would wait for the Implementing Rules and Guidelines once the measure is passed into law.
Nevertheless, Tan warned the public to always be vigilant of phone-based scams.
“I-verify muna before you engage or give details and information,” added Tan.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) agreed with Tan.
“SIM card registration would help us prevent crimes. Mangin mahinalongon kita sa paggamit kay naka-register ang aton name,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson.
Interviewed residents in the city and province of Iloilo were in favor of the measure.
“It’s okay if SIM cards are registered. At least ma-deter ang scams kag iban nga tawo nga obra nila pang-tripping lang. Para man ‘ni sa aton security,” said Jean Guevara.
Jessa Mae Camacho, a private worker from Ungka, Jaro district, agreed, too.
“Mayad gid kon ma-register (ang SIM card) para mahapos mag-trace sang text scams,” she said.
Ruby Ann, a third year college student from Cabatuan town, added: “Okay gid. Kon wala ka man lang sang ginahimu nga malain sa cellphone nga-a abi indi kaw magpasugot sang sina nga bill.”
According to a report from the Philippine News Agency, HB 5793 mandates all PTEs to maintain a SIM card register of their subscribers and submit the same to the Department of Information and Communications Technology every six months.
It provides for a confidentiality clause that prohibits disclosure of any information of a subscriber, unless upon subpoena or lawful order from a competent court or written request from law enforcement agency in relation to an ongoing investigation, that a particular number requested is used in the commission of a crime.
It also mandates the registration of existing prepaid SIM card phone subscribers.
Failure to comply with this provision with the prescribed period shall lead to automatic deactivation of services./PN
