Globe Drive Versus Unauthorized Signal Boosters Yields Arrest of Illegal Seller

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom’s campaign against the use of illegal repeater has led to the arrest of an individual suspected of selling such equipment.

A recent joint entrapment operation between police authorities and Globe security personnel led to the arrest of Raymundo Canete, a 28 year-old resident of Block 69, Sitio Panghulo, Floodway, Barangay San Juan, Taytay, Rizal. Canete is allegedly the delivery boy of Mark Lewis Chua, a resident of Lot 17, Block 1, Ather St., Greenwoods Executive Village, Pasig City, who is allegedly engaged in selling signal booster/repeater through online selling portal OLX.

Based on a report made by QCPD District Special Operation Unit, Globe investigator Eddie Catalo sought police assistance in addressing online selling of illegal repeaters. Acting on Catalo’s report, DSOU-QCPD led by PINSP Danilo Sonbgalia conducted entrapment operation at the corner of General Santos and General Roxas Sts. (in front of PNB Farmers’) in Cubao, Quezon City. The entrapment operation led to the arrest of Canete right after he handed a set of signal repeater to Catalo in exchange for P1,000.00 used as a marked money.

Seized from Canete were 1 unit of signal booster, 1 unit of repeated amplifier and 1 unit of signal antenna. Police authorities recommended the filing of appropriate criminal case against Canete and Chua.

National Telecommunications Commission Memorandum Order No. 01-02-2013 prohibits the sale, purchase, importation, possession or use of signal boosters operating on the 800 megahertz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz frequency bands without the approval of the regulatory agency. Violation could entail penalties and even imprisonment. Online selling of illegal repeaters is also in violation of Section 4 (a) of RA10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. According to Ronald Uychutin, Globe Vice President for Security and Anti-Fraud and Investigation, the use of repeaters or signal boosters, without any permit from the NTC, causes network interference that that could result in dropped calls, garbled lines, and weak signal.