PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PROLIFERATION
OF MALICIOUS TEXT MESSAGES

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) must exert all efforts regarding the spread of malicious text messages that cause panic to the public. We are asking the NTC why they cannot effectively address this serious matter.

Initially, we were informed that they do not have the capability to specifically identify the people doing this counterproductive rumor-mongering. All they can do is merely deactivate the SIM cards used because they do not have a database showing to whom the SIM cards are issued, at least for prepaid SIM cards. Babalik tayo sa usapin ng SIM card registration na tinatalakay at pinag-aaralan ngayon ng Senado sa pamamgitan ng Senate Committee on Public Services na aking pinamumunoan.

We need to strike a balance between privacy and public interest issues. Personally, I believe that these people must be held accountable and we must empower our agencies, the NTC in particular. In the meantime, I urge the public to exercise caution when receiving text communications from unknown senders.