PNP presses for enactment of SIM Registration Act into law (Sabong News)
Author
Aaron Recuenco
Date
MARCH 28 2022
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reiterated its call for the enactment of the SIM Registration Act into law, saying it is an effective tool to deter crimes and track criminals in the course of its investigation.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the feature of the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Registration Act of securing the identity of every prepaid subscribers is essential in the campaign against cybercriminals and terrorists.
Under the Act, Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs) must require the registration of SIM cards for collection in a centralized database as a prerequisite to the sale and activation of SIM cards.
Direct sellers will require the end user to present their valid identification with photo along with an accomplished control-numbered registration form provided by the respective PTE.
A person who wants to purchase a SIM card but can’t personally register for a valid reason may opt to authorize another person to buy given that there is a Special Power of Attorney and proper identification of the principal buyer and representative.
“We have seen how the criminal elements maximized the anonymity of pre-paid SIM cards, thus it was easy for them to constantly change SIM cards for communication and transaction without being identified,” said Carlos.
He said PNP can directly access vital information regarding the criminal to ensure that future crimes perpetrated by the same person can be prevented.
“The PNP also noted that PTEs and direct sellers will really be compelled to strictly adhere to the provisions to avoid being penalized according to the law,” said Carlos.
“We ask for the public’s cooperation as this will be an added security against those who will attempt to commit crime against a person. The PNP sees no breach in the privacy of information as collection of identification has been a practice already for post-paid application,” he added,
