Labella pushes for registration of pre-paid SIMs

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella had asked his fellow city legislators to support the move for all sellers of pre-paid subscriber identification module (SIM) cards to require government-issued identification cards from buyers and to record the buyer’s personal information.

By doing this, Labella explained, it would be easy for authorities to trace the holders of SIM cards used in illegal activities like extortion, kidnap-for-ransom, grave threats and other similar violations.

He urged members of Congress to enact the bill requiring the mandatory registration of buyers of prepaid SIM pack to discourage the use of these gadgets in illegal activities.

At present, only the SIM cards for post-paid accounts are registered under the subscriber, who gives telecommunications companies their personal details. Pre-paid SIM cards are sold at P5 and P10 by ambulant vendors in sidewalks without requiring the names of the buyers.

 “It cannot be denied that untraceable pre-paid SIMs in the hands of lawless elements are effectively used in the pursuit of their criminal activities considering that the same can easily evade detection,” said Labella, the chairman of the City Council’s committee on laws.

According to him the user of a pre-paid SIM pack, without being identified, can simply throw away the card after use which makes it easier for culprits to commit crimes.

He explained this is the reason law enforcement agencies find it hard to track down culprits in illegal activities. Anti-crime specialists have opined that one of the major factors facilitating crimes involving cellphones is the continuing non-registration of subscriber identity module.

Labella added that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the lead government agency tasked to oversee the operations of telecommunication companies like Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular, will lobby for the passage of a law.

He suggested for NTC to take the necessary measures to encourage telecommunication companies – Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular – to maintain a database of all SIM card holders to safeguard consumers. (FREEMAN)