A proposed law on telecommunications should be attuned to the security provisions of the Public Services Act (PSA) wherein critical infrastructures defined as public services that significantly impact national security, public health, and safety is subject to strict regulation by the National Telecommunications Commission and other pertinent agencies.
The think tank group Stratbase Institute made this observation on Senate Bill 2699 titled Konektadong Pinoy Act which seeks to establish a comprehensive and inclusive data transmission and connectivity framework across the country.
However, the bill’s proposal to eliminate the requirement for a legislative franchise for the use of the country’s radio frequency spectrum deemed as a strategically critical national resource, has raised alarms among the telecommunications industry, cybersecurity, and geopolitical experts, Stratbase said.
Meanwhile, the PSA restricts foreign ownership in sensitive areas particularly where national security is concerned.
Stratbase warned that SB 2699, although meant to improve internet connectivity in the country, could compromise the integrity of the Philippines’ internet infrastructure amid escalating Indo-Pacific tensions.
Stratbase president Prof. Victor Andres Manhit, expressed serious concerns over the implications of the bill, and urged lawmakers to rethink its provisions.
"We want to be connected, but not at the cost of our security," Manhit stressed He emphasized the need to carefully re-examine the bill's provisions cutting the regulatory powers of government that may open the country’s radio frequencies to abusive and malicious players.
Manhit emphasized that removing this requirement would weaken the regulatory powers of the National Telecommunications Commission, potentially leading to a chaotic scenario whereby the country's telecommunications networks can be exploited by hostile entities, posing significant risks to national security.
“While the bill’s goals are well-intentioned, its implementation could inadvertently expose the nation to significant security risks, particularly in light of the current geopolitical tensions,” Manhit said.
He explained that by bypassing the legislative franchise requirement, the bill at its current version would weaken the regulatory framework that ensures the safe and secure management of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
This could open the door for foreign actors with malign intentions to legally gain access to our digital infrastructure and launch cyberattacks against government institution, private enterprises, and all internet users, he said.
“The direction should be to strengthen the security and robustness of our critical infrastructure which includes telecommunications networks which carries the nation’s broadband internet services that has become an indispensable utility for the productivity of all industries and people at all levels of society,” Manhit added.
He clarified however, that digital inclusivity is essential for nation-building, it must be balanced with robust security measures to ensure that the country’s connectivity infrastructure does not become a weak point in the face of geopolitical threats.”
As the Philippines continues to navigate the complexities of the Indo-Pacific region’s security landscape, the need for a secure and resilient telecommunications network has never been more critical. The Konektadong Pinoy bill, though well-intentioned, must be carefully reconsidered to protect against potential national security compromises in the pursuit of digital connectivity,” Manhit said.
