Group hits cellphone service suspension along Nazarene route

Consumer group TXTPower criticized the government’s move to suspend cellphone services along the route of the Black Nazarene procession on Monday because it can supposedly hamper, not complement, security measures.

 

“Keeping all public communication outlets, especially cellphone services, open is the public’s and the government’s sounding board against any alleged terror threats. Open cellphone lines would enable citizens to respond to President Aquino’s call for reports of suspicious persons and groups,” TXTPower said in a statement.

 

“It is also vital to media, whose profession relies heavily on cellphone services, to report to the public and to both private and public security personnel,” the group added. Reports from radio dzBB, meanwhile, said even police admitted that their own communications have been disrupted by the temporary disconnection of mobile services.

GMA News Online is still trying to reach government officials for comment on TXTPower’s statement as of posting time.

 

A supposed terror threat that President Benigno Aquino III revealed on Sunday, Jan 8, 2012, prompted the government to ask cellular service providers to temporarily suspend their services along the Black Nazarene procession route. “We could only guess the sense of unease and insecurity of families and groups who are now gathered in Quiapo upon discovering that their cellphones are inoperable,” TXTPower said.

 

The group also acknowledged the government’s mandate to protect the public from terror threats, but said “we must not easily surrender fundamental rights, especially those that affect communications.”

 

“Derailing the enjoyment of these rights is said to be among the aims of terrorists. (Now) the government has done it for them,” TXTPower said.

 

The group also said the government should have made a formal public announcement about the scope and reach of the cellphone service suspension, its duration, and alternatives for the public in the absence of cellphone services.

 

Telecommunications companies should have also informed the public about the government’s order, and their reasons for complying with this, TXTPower said. — RSJ, GMA News