Importing phone jammer parts "legal"

CEBU, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales admitted that it is difficult to catch cellphone jamming devices, that are feared to block the electronic transmission of results from polling precincts to canvassing centers on election day, if these are imported by parts.

Morales who was in Cebu yesterday said that importation of spare parts is allowed under the law. He explained that customs authorities cannot go after the people importing spare parts of this electronic device.

“Kung mag-iimport ng housing, ng resistor, capacitor, screw and other parts hindi mo pwedeng hulihin yan dahil hindi naman ito bawal,” Morales told members of the media.

According to Morales, it is important that the law enforcement agencies will also intensify their campaign against it.

He raised the possibility that the alleged 5,000 units of cellphone jammers that the Commission on Elections claims to have been smuggled into the country might have been assembled only here.

Morales described the Comelec’s claim to be hearsay but nevertheless instructed his chief intelligence officer to coordinate with the poll body.

Morales admitted the possibility that some devices may indeed be utilized to sabotage the automated May 10 elections, although he said it will not change the vote cast by a voter.

“This will not change your vote it will only delay the transmission,” Morales said.    

National Telecommunications Commission-7 officer-in-charge Jesus Laureno admitted in an earlier interview that the threat of cellphone jammers is real.

He explained that this gadget operates within the band of cellular phone frequency and is being used in other countries for counter-terrorism. Churches also use them to discourage churchgoers from using their phones while the Mass is ongoing.

In the Philippines however the use of this device is illegal, according to the NTC.

Laureno said that the jamming device is a portable transmitter that has an effective range from 50 meters to 100 meters. He said it can also easily be concealed. — Fred P. Languido/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)