As doubts grow over the effectiveness of Republic Act No. 11934 (SIM Card Registration Law) in combating online fraud, a digital advocacy group has urged the government to enhance its fight against internet fraud and text scams.
Digital Pinoys emphasized that effective law enforcement is crucial, as text scams and other cybercrimes remain rampant despite RA 11934 being in place for nearly two years.
Ronald Gustilo, a national campaigner for Digital Pinoys, stressed that robust enforcement is essential, noting that even a strong law can falter without proper implementation.
He pointed out that criminals are exploiting new technologies and platforms such as Telegram, Viber, Messenger, and Signal.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has suggested reviewing the SIM Registration Act to address emerging scam tactics.
According to the Philippine National Police, cybercrimes surged by 21.8% in early 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The group also recommended expanding anti-fraud efforts to cover virtual messaging platforms, as scammers increasingly use these channels and foreign SIMs to bypass registration laws.
DICT Spokesperson Renato Paraiso noted that scammers are exploiting internet-based messaging platforms and foreign SIMs.
Gustilo urged the government to address these evolving threats proactively to avoid a repeat of past issues with spam and scam texts.
In response, the House of Representatives has initiated a hearing to review the law.
Senate President Francis Escudero and Senator Grace Poe have also criticized the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for inadequate action against text scams, calling for a more vigorous approach.
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