Senators slam NTC for failure to prevent text scams

MANILA -- Senators blasted the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Tuesday for its supposed failure to properly implement the SIM Card Registration Law and prevent text scams.

In a message, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the agency should refrain from using excuses.

“Instead of simply mouthing excuses, they should explain why they have been ineffective and what, if at all, they need to enable them to effectively combat and eliminate this social ill,” Escudero said

Senator Grace Poe asked, “What has NTC done so far?”

“Sadly, these text spams and scams have become our new normal,” she stated. “Ano ba ang nagawa (What has been done) against bad actors, including those in POGO hubs who were caught with text blast machines and other violations?”

Poe also singled out the lack of text scam advisories, which is the simplest thing that NTC could do in addressing the said scams.

She also lamented the complicated process of reporting spams and scams that discourages the public to report.

“NTC needs to be more proactive than the scammers. It should lead the fight against it and not just stand idly by as this text scam pandemic continues to paralyze our systems,” Poe remarked.

Senator Imee Marcos called on NTC to take the matter seriously, saying it seems like the law is not being fully implemented.

“‘Yung NTC nga eh kinakalampag natin sana naman seryosohin natin itong mga problemang ito. Nagagamit pa yung SIM card sa iba’t ibang krimen. Nadadali ang mga sindikato at andyan na naman sila, bidang bida sila sa mga imbestigasyon ng POGO,” Marcos said.

(We are calling on NTC to take the problem seriously. The SIM card is being used in different crimes. Syndicates are here again and they are front and center in the investigation of POGO.)