Dads to tackle measure banning the deactivation of blocked cell phones

The City Council is set to deliberate on a proposed ordinance banning cellular phone shops from unblocking and reactivating mobile phones that have been previously blocked or deactivated by the National Telecommunications Commission.

Councilor Edgardo Labella is concerned that most of these mobile phones, if not all, that have been deactivated by NTC are stolen or lost cell phone units, "one of the telling factors why cell phone theft in this city still remains a big headache to law enforcement agencies."

"While it is an illegal act to unblock or reactivate mobile phone units which have been previously blocked or deactivated by the National Telecommunications Commission, some mobile phone service centers/shops in Cebu City still tend to provide unblocking or reactivating service for a fee in a clandestine manner to some dubious customers," Labella said.

Labella also said that any computer-savvy cell phone technician can reactivate an NTC-blocked mobile phone unit and access the network through the aid of a software by way of altering the special number used by Global Service Mobile (GSM) network, otherwise known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), to identify a particular mobile phone unit.

"The reported ease in which snatched, stolen or lost mobile phones can be made usable again even if the owners have them blocked by NTC or network providers is apparently one of the telling factors why cell phone theft in this city still remains a big headache to law enforcement agencies," the proposal reads.

Should the council approve the proposal, the enforcement of the law would be done by the coordinated effort of the National Telecommunications Commission and the Business Permit Section of the city government.

Those found violating the ordinance would be fined P1,500 for first offense, P3,500 for second offense, and P5,000 for third offense and/or revocation of business permit or license. - Joeberth M. Ocao