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NTC orders probe into emergency alerts about Bongbong Marcos, says telcos confirm alerts not from them


The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered an immediate investigation into the emergency text blasts promoting former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., saying that telecommunications companies have said the alert did not come from them.

“The [NTC] commissioner has directed our regulation branch to investigate itong nangyaring pagpapadala ng emergency alert na hindi naman emergency [this sending an emergency alert, when it's not actually an emergency],” NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios told GMA News Online.

The "emergency alert" declares: "Buong Buo and Malasakit sa Bansa. Buong Buhay and Maialay sa taong bayan. Bagong Bukas na Masagana para sa masa. Babangon Muli ang Pilipinas (V) BBM sa bansa. BBM sa taong bayan, BBM sa Masa... BBM Pilipinas  #BBM2022"

Various cellphone users in the area received the alert after the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy for president for the 2022 elections at the Harbor Garden Tent at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate and chairman Neri Colmenares have urged the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to investigate the matter.

Illegal portable cell sites?

Cabarios said the NTC has already coordinated with telcos and asked them whether the emergency alert went through their networks.

“But, according to them, walang ganun na naipadala na emergency alert kasi ‘pagka emergency alam nila eh. Ang emergency alert manggagaling lang sa NRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council] ‘yan so they would know, so walang ganun, according to them,” he said.

(According to them, no such emergency alert coursed through them. An emergency alert originates only from the NDRRMC so they would know, but there is none, according to them.)

The NTC executive said the emergency alert may have come from the illegal operation of “portable cell sites.”

He said portable cell sites are radio-based stations which use the frequencies of mobile networks.

He added that only the NDRRMC and those given permission are allowed to use portable cell sites for emergency communications purposes only.

“Halimbawa, in certain localities down ang communication mo sini-set up 'yan para maabisuhan ang residents within that area to give information as to what to do [during emergency],” Cabarios said.

(For example, in certain localities where communications are down, it will be set up to blast messages to residents within that area on what to do during an emergency.)

The NTC executive said it is illegal for anyone to buy or sell portable cell sites, except the NDRRMC and those allowed by the agency.

Only for natural hazards

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC clarified that it did not issue the message for distribution through its telecommunication partners.

The NDRRMC has been issuing emergency alerts in times of natural calamities such as earthquakes and typhoons.

"Our usage of the emergency mobile alerts system only follows the prescription of RA 10639 or the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Law which requires that warning messages must be hazard-specific, time-bound and area-specific. Emergency notifications issued today by the NDRRMC are only about rainfall warnings due to the current weather disturbance and nothing else," NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said.

Timbal said the NDRRMC has already coordinated with telco firms regarding this matter and they said the message did not come from them as well.

"We trust that the National Telecommunications Commission will be looking into this matter. Our people can be assured that the NDRRMC reserves the use of its warning systems for their mandated purpose only, that is to provide proper and timely warning to our people regarding natural hazards," Timbal said.

Cabarios said, if found liable, those using portable cell sites for purposes other than emergencies will be slapped with cases for violating the Radio Control law. — BM, GMA News

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