DICT warns filing charges vs election candidates using text blasters

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) warned Wednesday that it file charges against election candidates who will use text blasting machines for their campaigns.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy made the statement after the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) nabbed a Malaysian national in Parañaque City for selling the prohibited items online.

“I need to warn our candidates because we will be monitoring. So oras na may ma-monitor kami na text blasters in operation at nagpu-push for certain candidates, mate-trace namin yan,” Uy said at a press briefing.

(I need to warn our candidates because we will be monitoring. So when we catch text blasters in operation, pushing for certain candidates, we can trace that.)

“Baka makompromiso yung [candidacy] nung kandidato dahil we will definitely confiscate that, file appropriate criminal charges, and perhaps file whatever charges we should do even in Comelec. It's a warning to all candidates,” he added.

(Their candidacy might be compromised because we will definitely confiscate that, file appropriate criminal charges, and perhaps file whatever charges we should do even in Comelec. It's a warning to all candidates.)

Uy reminded candidates that these equipment are illegal, unlicensed, and covered by the regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

According to Uy, the demand for text blast machines increased in the previous elections.

A 46-year-old Malaysian was arrested in Parañaque City on Tuesday for selling text blast machines with international mobile subscriber identity catcher (IMSI) that can also be used for scams.

The suspect faces charges for violations of the Philippine Radio Stations and Radio Communications Regulation Act, the SIM Registration Act, the Data Privacy Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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