Due to the widespread use of SIM cards in scams and fraudulent activities, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is considering revising the existing SIM card registration law.
Proposed amendments by Gatchalian include limiting the number of SIM cards a user can register and regulating text message marketing, promotions, political propaganda, or fundraising activities sent through SIM cards.
In a statement on August 12, Gatchalian stated that the government has a responsibility to protect uninformed or unprepared Filipinos from harm caused by cybercriminals in scams including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). Despite the SIM Card Registration Act, which was signed into law in October 2022 to curb the use of SIM-related technology in various illegal or fraudulent activities, there are still ongoing discoveries of registered SIM cards, mobile phones, computers, and portable Wi-Fi devices, especially in POGO, being used in various online scams such as romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud.
As the chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Gatchalian pointed out that these scam activities have caused significant economic losses to victims. He has requested the Senate to investigate the use of SIM cards in illegal POGO operations.
Previously, after the police conducted a series of raids on illegal POGO, there was a noticeable decrease in scam text messages. Senator Grace Poe also observed a similar situation last month after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a complete ban on POGO. However, Gatchalian still raised the possibility that POGO might still be operating covertly despite the comprehensive ban.
