Globe Telecom is reinforcing its commitment to the SIM Registration Act (RA 11934), emphasizing the need for a validated database to combat SIM card-related crimes. Lawyer Froilan Castelo, Globe general counsel, responded to calls from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) for stricter enforcement following the discovery of “pre-registered” SIM cards being sold via social media.
Castelo said while Globe is rigorously implementing SIM registration, including the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and facial recognition software to verify identity, there is no way to guarantee authenticity without a government-approved ID database. Globe has been advocating for access to official ID databases, such as the National ID or other government systems, since 2023.
Despite upgrades to its registration platform, including mandatory selfies and improved verification tools, fraudsters continue to exploit the system by using stolen identities. Globe reminds the public that selling or purchasing registered SIM cards is illegal, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. The company also urges consumers to register only their own SIMs and to be cautious of tampered packaging when purchasing new cards.
