Former Philippine National Police chief Bato dela Rosa who is gunning for a Senate seat in the midterm elections is pushing for the registration of subscriber identification module (SIM) cards, saying this will help in the campaign against crime and terrorism.
Dela Rosa said pre-paid mobile phones are often used to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) since its subscriber is untraceable.
Dela Rosa said kidnappers also use pre-paid phones to communicate with the family of their victims.
“Kidnappers use pre-paid cards to communicate with the family of their captives.”
“Before a SIM card will be sold, it should be registered,” Dela Rosa said citing basic data should be asked from the buyer-subscriber.
“Before a SIM card will be sold, it should be registered.”
He said that owners of prepaid SIM cards can be identified and traced once the mobile phone is used to commit a crime.
Dela Rosa said safety measures can be adopted so as not to violate the privacy of the holders of pre-paid cards just like post-paid subscribers.
“If it can be done in other countries such as China and Malaysia, why not also do it here,” the former national police said.
“The government should have the political will to regulate and control for the good of the country,” he added.
