NTC probes ‘hacking’ of ex-MMDA Chair Abalos’ phone

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Monday said it was investigating the alleged hacking of the mobile phone number of former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr., who is now the campaign manager of presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“The NTC is still currently investigating the matter in coordination with Globe Telecom, but agrees with the latter that it may be a classic case of ‘SMS spoofing’,” the NTC said in a statement.

In a Sunday Facebook post Abalos claimed that his Globe cellphone number had been hacked.

“It has been sending out unscrupulous messages. [I] went to Globe office this afternoon to complain [about the hacking incident] and had the number immediately suspended,” said Abalos.

“Please ignore messages that you get from that number,” he added.

In their statement, Globe confirmed it received a report on May 8 that Abalos’ mobile number was spoofed.

The telco said that messages using the mobile number of the former MMDA chairman were being sent indiscriminately.

“Globe has taken immediate action to ensure the security of his account,” the telco said.

Globe explained that “spoofing SMS messages” are possible with the illegal use of cell broadcasters.

“Using base station technology, these devices can detect active cellphones within a certain range and directly transmit SMS messages via frequencies that are sent from the machine,” it said.

The NTC said that NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba warned owners of illegal broadcaster devices and their operators will face criminal and civil penalties.

The NTC had given limited authority to use cell broadcasters only for alerts and warnings during disasters and emergencies. 

Globe called on the public to be wary of messages originating from this illegal act which targets legitimate mobile numbers to send out unauthorized SMS to multiple users.

“Globe has sought the assistance of the NTC and other law enforcement agencies to stop the illegal use of cell broadcasters,” the telco said.

According to Kaspersky, a cybersecurity solutions provider, phone number spoofing allows scammers to trick individuals into believing they are receiving calls or messages from a particular number - a disguise to entice them to fall for their malicious motivations. — DVM, GMA News