MANILA – In response to the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by scammers, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is advocating for amendments to the existing cybercrime legislation. DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, speaking at a press conference in Malacañang, highlighted the resurgence of scam text messages despite the SIM Card Registration law’s enforcement.
Secretary Uy explained that while the registration law initially deterred scammers, these criminals have since adapted, employing new strategies and tools. He described the current situation as a ‘guerilla warfare’ scenario, with scammers operating in smaller, more agile teams that are difficult to track. These teams have been known to use ‘drive-by hacking’, a method where they hack into mobile networks from vehicles parked within communities.
Uy noted that much of the equipment used in these operations is smuggled into the country due to its illegal nature. To counter these evolving threats, the DICT is intensifying its field operations and collaborating with Congress to revise the cybercrime law. The proposed amendments aim to adopt a broader approach similar to laws in other countries that address ‘online harm’. This would encompass a wide range of harmful online activities, including cybercrime, scamming, and hacking, ensuring that any activity causing harm online is covered by the law.