January 28, 2011, 1:51pm
MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III said on Thursday the government should now seriously consider adopting the policy requiring the registration of names of pre-paid SIM (subscriber identification module) card holders.
Sotto pressed on this matter during the Senate’s hearing on the peace and order situation in the country. He first made the proposal during the 11th and 12th Congresses -- when there were series of bombing incidents in the country and the explosive devices were reported to be triggered by mobile phones.
“It also happened in Mindanao and other areas where there were bombings and the bomb was triggered by a cell phone. Now, just to refresh the memory of our committee, this representation was chairman of the committee on public services in the 11th and 12th Congresses. During that time, I was already driving home a point to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and I hope this time the PNP and the DILG will back me up on this issue. I, time and again, asked them to make the telecommunication companies register their pre-paid SIM card,†he said in the proceedings.
Sotto brought it up in the light of Tuesday’s bus explosion that killed five persons and injured several others. Initial reports said a mobile phone was used to trigger the improvised explosive device.
According to Sotto, the perpetrators of the bus explosion could have been traced immediately had telecoms firms already required their pre-paid SIM card subscribers to register their names upon purchasing the same.
Sotto explained that those engaged in nefarious activities, like kidnapping and carnapping, could easily dispose of the pre-paid SIM card after the commission of the crime and authorities will have no lead as to their identity.
Sotto recalled that when he first broached the idea to the NTC several years ago, some telecoms companies filed a petition before the courts which granted them a temporary restraining order (TRO). This rendered the initiative of the senator fruitless.
â€The biggest clue that could probably help our police track down these criminal elements is in possession of the telecoms companies. The place, the number used and what precise time the bomb was triggered, could probably be determined if pre-paid cards are registered,†Sotto said.
“If there is an issue that we should address now, in the light of what is happening around us, it is to regulate the use of pre-paid SIM cards. This time, I hope, we can call the attention of the Palace. I think they should initiate this matter now,†the senator added.
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