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NTC admits helplessness vs prank, panic texts


A day after prank text messages warning of a radiation threat from a troubled nuclear plant in Japan circulated in the Philippines, the government admitted on Tuesday it is helpless in going after those who send such messages. National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Common Carriers Authorization Department Director Edgardo Cabarios said while they can pinpoint mobile phone numbers, they cannot trace the owners of the phones who are using prepaid phone cards. “Ang problema kasi, pag nanggaling sa prepaid SIM card hindi mate-trace saan nanggaling yung text message na yan, hindi registered ang prepaid cards ," he said in an interview on dzBB radio on Tuesday. (Our problem is that when the messages are sent from a prepaid subscriber identity module, we cannot trace the owner anymore as there was no registration involved in buying prepaid SIM cards.) “Yung number makukuha pero ang may-ari hindi (We can trace the prepaid number but we cannot determine who is using it)," he said. Cabarios said the government can only issue statements clarifying rumors circulating by text. On Monday the government issued statements denying rumors that there are dangers of radiation leak and acid rain in the Philippines because a nuclear plant in neighboring country Japan exploded. The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public on Monday that the radiation leak from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan poses no immediate threat to the Philippines. The Fukushima nuclear plant exploded in Japan after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake rocked that country on March 11. Also on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) denied rumors circulating via text messages that there will be "acid rain" in the Philippines supposedly because of radioactive clouds from quake- and tsunami-stricken Japan. PAGASA said there was no basis for such claims. DOST to public: Don't fall for hoax messages The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) appealed to the public late Monday not to fall for hoax text messages about doomsday scenarios. "DOST advises the public not to believe these rumors currently spreading through text messages, emails, the Internet, and other means of communication ... DOST also advises the public not to entertain these rumors and to stop forwarding said messages so as not to sow panic among the people," it said in an emergency response bulletin posted on the website of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. . DOST Secretary Mario Montejo asked the public not to believe in rumors regarding the alleged nuclear meltdown in Japan. "The advice circulating that people should stay indoors and to wear raincoats if they go outdoors has no basis and did not come from DOST or the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council," the DOST said. "DOST clarifies that there is no immediate danger to the Philippines," it added. The DOST said it maintains a 24/7 link-up with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the highest authority on nuclear matters for advice on the current situation of the Fukushima Daiichi plant. "Available data do not indicate any immediate threats to the Philippines," it said. It said those with questions can call the PNRI Emergency Response Center at (632) 929- 4719 or 920-8738. – VVP, GMA News

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