A digital advocate group asked the government to ramp up its efforts against internet fraud and text scams more than just aligning its focus on revising the SIM Registration Act.
Digital Pinoys said the key to curbing SIM-based crimes is “enforcing the law to its fullest extent,” as text scams and other cyber offenses are still prevalent almost two years after Republic Act No. 11934, or the SIM Card Registration Act, was signed.
“In the end, law enforcement agencies should be well-equipped and be able to do their job with regard to SIM-based offenders because even if the law is strong, but without proper enforcement, it will be nothing,” Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said.
He said suspected internet felons obviously exploited the emergence of the cutting-edge technology by operating above SIM-based platforms, like the OTT apps such as Telegram, Viber, Messenger and Signal.
This developed as the Department of Information and Communications Technology called for a review of the SIM Registration Act, noting that it needs an update as scammers found new ways to execute their crimes.
According to the Philippine National Police, the number of cybercrimes increased by 21.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024 from the same period in 2023.
The group also advised the government to expand its fighting arena to virtual messaging platforms, as scammers also use messaging scams to evade SIM registration.
DICT spokesperson and assistant secretary Renato Paraiso said scammers were now using internet-based messaging platforms for crimes like Viber and Messenger, among others, and are also using foreign sims.
“While it may not be covered by the SIM registration law, the government should prepare so that it will be addressed before it becomes a full-blown crisis like spam and scam texts all over again,” Gustilo said.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives conducted a hearing to review the law.
Senate President Francis Escudero and Senator Grace Poe also questioned the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for failing to curb text scams and tasked the agency to intensify its fight against scams instead of making excuses.
