A lawmaker revived Friday his proposal for a mandatory registration of SIM (subscriber identity module) cards after the military and the police confirmed the use of cellular phones in triggering bombs and improvised explosive devices (IED).

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon said such confirmation makes it imperative for the government to consider mandatory registration of cell phone SIM cards whether prepaid or postpaid, especially in the wake of the series of bomb attacks in Mindanao.

“This will be a good countermeasure against terrorist attacks using cell phone-triggered bombs, making it more tedious for bombers to acquire SIM cards and provide a lead for investigators,” Biazon said in a text message.

Biazon is the author of House Bill (HB) 92, which provides that all SIM cards issued by telecommunications companies to their subscribers must be registered and included in a database of mobile phone subscribers.

To implement the registration, Biazon proposed that every time a SIM pack is purchased, the person buying it shall present a valid ID as proof of identity and address. The data shall be included in the database of subscribers of the telecommunications companies and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

According to Biazon, the system is actually already in place and is already applicable to postpaid subscribers.

“All that needs to be done is to include the prepaid subscribers in the process. It is not an entirely new procedure that will require a total rehabilitation of existing systems and procedures, but merely an expansion of coverage,” he said.

The lawmaker said SIM card registration will make it possible for authorities to address the issue of cell phones being used to commit crime such as kidnapping, blackmail, and even bombings.

“It will enable authorities to have a lead in investigating crimes using cell phones and track down the perpetrators of such crimes. Although it will not be the ultimate solution to crimes, registration will at least make it more difficult for the commission of crimes using cell phones,” Biazon said.

He said the proposal will also make it easier to monitor the real number of subscribers of the telecommunications companies and ensure that the right revenues are collected by government since the issuance of receipts can be matched against the registered subscribers.

While some quarters raise the issue of privacy as an argument against the proposal, Biazon said the registration of SIM cards is consistent with the provisions of the Constitution which provides the State the authority over natural resources such as airwaves and radio frequencies.

“The use of such resources is a privilege given by the State, not a right of the people. That’s why telecommunications companies, broadcast companies and even users of radio telecommunications need to get a franchise or license from the NTC before operating,” Biazon pointed out.

“Registration will not violate the privacy of communications since the content of the conversations using the cell phones will not be revealed nor does the proposal intend or authorize the eavesdropping of cell phone conversations,” he added.