MANILA – A Palace official suggested that there is a need to amend the SIM Card Registration Act in light of the apparent resurgence of scams through text messages.
According to Presidential Communication Undersecretary Claire Castro, it would be better if the registration of SIM cards will be personal rather than through online.
“Kailangan po na ang pag-register dito katulad po kapag kayo ay kumukuha ng driver’s license – personal po kayong pumupunta,” Castro said.
“Kapag kumuha ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance, pumupunta po kayo ng personal. Kakayanin po natin ito magrehistro nang tama ang mga SIM cards para maiwasan po iyong mga ganitong klaseng scams,” she added.
Castro further said: “Kahit na lang sino ay bumibili ng SIM card; may bayad, bumibili sa iba, binibenta ang kanilang identity. Mahihirapan po tayong sugpuin ang krimen kapag po ganoon ang nangyari.”
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law a measure seeking the registration of Subscriber Identity Module, which aims to promote accountability in the use of SIMs three years ago.
The SIM Registration Act or Republic Act 11934 seeks to end crimes using the platform including text and online scams by regulating the sale and the use of SIMs through mandating registration to end-users.
Last year, the National Telecommunications Commission made a commitment to address the concerns on POGO-related scamming activities as it admitted that the SIM Registration Law is not enough./PN
