Calling it a positive step forward augmenting its own crusade against fraud and fake news, the non-government organization Philippine Transport and Communication (PhilTraComm) on Wednesday lauded a joint agreement that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) recently entered into to curtail fraud and further improve the country’s anti-cybercrime capabilities.

“This partnership is crucial, an essential endeavor at best that could pave the way for a safer, more secure, and digitally empowered community,” said Aio Bautista, lead convenor of PhilTraComm.

“Our law enforcers as well as the country’s information and communications arm simply struck the right chords on this partnership which is no less intended to curtail growing concerns on fraud and other forms of cybercrimes,” Bautista added.

“Coupled with the mandate of RA 11934 (mandatory SIM card regisration) whose extended 90-day nationwide registration is fast closing in, there is no doubt cybercriminals and cyber-scammers’ days are difinitely numbered.”

The second deadline of the SIM card registration is set for Tuesday, 25 July 2023, a day after President Marcos delivers his second State of the Nation Address.

RA 11034 was the first bill signed into law by PBBM amid growing concerns on fake news, mobile phone scams, and other forms of cybercrimes.

“RA 11934, along with the joint agreement by the PNP and DICT completes and complements the arsenal that we need in safeguarding the welfare, security of our countrymen, and the ultimate goal for a progressive Philippines,” Bautista stressed.

“Call it now as a well-secured digital landscape,” he added.

As of July 6, 2023, the country has already registered 60.75 percent of the total 168 million Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, nearing the July 25, 2023 deadline set by the national government, according to data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

From December 27, 2022, to July 6, 2023, a total of 102,062,372 SIM cards have been registered out of the 168,016,400 SIMs sold in the country.

The SIM Card Registration Act, which came into effect in December 2022, mandates all mobile users to register their SIM cards with personal information such as their name, address, and government ID number.

The law aims to combat crime, terrorism, and protect consumers from fraud.

(AI/MNM)