Public urged to be vigilant after arrest of alleged spies

A telecommunications company on Monday called on the public to remain vigilant after the recent arrest of five men who were linked to alleged espionage activities.

In a statement, Globe Telecom advised customers who encounter unusual signal disruptions or suspect unauthorized transmissions to report through its official channels.

"Globe remains steadfast in its support of law enforcement and national security initiatives. This arrest should serve as a stern warning to those who seek to exploit telecom networks for illicit activities,” Globe’s general counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo said. 

“We will continue to work closely with the government to uphold the integrity of our communications infrastructure," he added. 

According to Globe, it has been closely coordinating with authorities to detect and prevent unauthorized network intrusions as it promotes stronger policies to restrict the entry, sale, and use of these illicit technologies in the country. 

It added that it keeps boosting its cybersecurity measures, investing in advanced network defenses and collaborating with government agencies to protect Filipinos from emerging digital threats. 

Earlier, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that five suspects were arrested on February 20 after they allegedly used international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers and visited military and police camps, other essential systems, facilities, and national government assets within Metro Manila.

According to Globe, IMSI catchers or rogue base stations mimic legitimate cell towers to intercept mobile communications, collect subscriber data, and even disrupt network operations. 

The use of these devices without authorization poses a significant risk to individuals and institutions, it said. 

"This is a landmark case in the fight against unauthorized surveillance and network interference. We commend our law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and swift action,” Globe said. 

“The presence of rogue base stations threatens not only individual privacy but also national security, and this latest crackdown reinforces the government’s commitment to combating such threats," it added. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News