MANILA, Philippines—Saying right to equal access to technology has limits, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has endorsed the enactment of Senate Bill No. 2644 introduced by Senator Manuel Villar that will require the registration of prepaid subscriber identification module (SIM) cards to discourage crimes.
In a two-page letter-reply to Senator Ramon Revilla, chair of the Committee on Public Services, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said with the registration of SIM cards it will be easier for government authorities to track down criminal perpetrators that would lead to their arrests and prosecution.
The Justice Chief said that while they recognize the right of Filipinos to have access to technology, such right has limitation and that it should not be used to commit crimes.
“We find no legal or constitutional objection to the proposed legislation which aims generally to deter crimes and other fraudulent activities…,” De Lima said.
“Thus, we recognize the right of Legislative Department to enact measure that would regulate the right to use prepaid SIM cards so as to ensure that public safety and welfare is given primordial importance over business interests,” she added.
Villar, in his proposed SB No. 2644 said that prepaid SIM cards are used by criminals in committing money-making activities such as e-raffle and random lottery.
Prepaid SIM cards, he added, have also become a tool of the so-called “dugong-dugong” gang to commit robbery or extort money from their victims.
The bill proposes that all sellers of prepaid SIM cards will require buyers to present government issued identification cards and record all personal information of the buyer.
The bill proposes a penalty of a fine ranging from P100,000 to P1 million and imprisonment from one year to two years for all violators.
DoJ endorses registration of SIM cards - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
DoJ endorses registration of SIM cards
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