Bill seeking to punish scammers who abuse mobile disaster alerts filed
Provided by INQUIRER.net.
MANILA, Philippines — A senator has filed a bill seeking to punish “scammers” who abuse or exploit the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act with at least two to five years in prison and up to P1 million in fines.
In his Senate Bill No. 475, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada sought amendments to Republic Act No, 10639, otherwise known as the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, particularly the imposition of stiffer penalties on lawbreakers.
"We established the mobile disaster alert system to save lives and any ill use of this may put our countrymen at risk. We need to maintain the integrity of this so that the people can put their trust in this project and for them to eventually adhere to the alerts and text messages they receive," said Estrada.
Under his proposed bill, anyone who abuses the mobile disaster alert mechanism – like a politician using such during the campaign period — will be penalized with imprisonment of two to five years and a fine of P100,000 to P1 million.
"This proposed measure seeks to prevent any form of abuse and retain the public's trust in our disaster alert systems and ensure that in times of crisis, each alert will be full of essence and importance," the senator said.
The Senate’s second top leader filed his bill after the Office of Civil Defense warned against text messages offering supposed “aid” from the government and pretending to be the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. /apl
(2025/07/30-14:51)
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