Dennis Gaviola

A cellular site tower in Caloocan City on August 06, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is targeting the phaseout of 2G and 3G mobile technologies by the end of the year, citing their frequent exploitation in text scams and the use of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers.According to CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Renato Paraiso, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is leading the initiative to sunset these older technologies, which remain vulnerable to interception by IMSI catchers.“Ang long-term plan, kami ng DICT sa pangunguna ni Secretary Henry Aguda ay pinag-sunset na natin or pina-phase out na natin ‘yung 2G and 3G technology natin kasi doon lang sila puwede pumasok, ‘yung mga IMSI catchers na ‘to,” Paraiso said in a press conference on Thursday.“So hopefully by the end of the year, mawala na nang tuluyan ‘yung mga IMSI catchers doon sa mga mobile phone devices natin,” Paraiso added.Paraiso explained that many text scams are carried out using IMSI catchers, which exploit weak cellular signals to intercept messages.“These are perpetrated through the use of IMSI catchers. Ang pinakasolusyon natin diyan as of the moment is talagang i-pinpoint– nakikipagtulungan tayo sa telcos (telecommunications company) kung saan mahina ‘yung signal nila kasi doon pumapasok ‘yon,” he said.However, Paraiso warned that scammers could shift to over-the-top services (OTTs) like Viber, posing a new challenge for authorities.Paraiso also emphasized the importance of enhancing Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) with other countries to pursue scam operations based abroad.“Ang talaga nagiging problema is this jurisdictional challenge. Kapag ‘yung mga scam hubs na ‘yan nasa ibang bansa wala tayong mechanism in our laws right now para habulin ho sila. Medyo kailangan pa natin i-advance ‘yung mga MLATs natin—‘yung Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties natin,” he said.“Kailangan ho natin kumbinsihin ‘yung ibang bansa na lumagda sa UN Convention for Cybercrime, which was held last year,” he added.MLATs facilitate the sharing of evidence and coordination in identifying witnesses or suspects across borders.“Sa Kongreso, very close ang coordination namin with Congress, especially with Congressman Brian Poe, who vice chairs the ICT committee,” he said. “So hopefully, two things: mapalakas ‘yung MLATs natin to cover all crimes of online syndicates. And second ho, magkaroon na tayo ng cyber diplomats na tayo na lang yata sa Pilipinas ang wala pa.”<div> </div><div>RELATED STORY:</div><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/19/dict-phase-out-of-3g-networks-by-ph-telcos-expected-by-end-of-september-2244">DICT: Phase-out of 3G networks by PH telcos expected by end of September</a></div>

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is targeting the phaseout of 2G and 3G mobile technologies by the end of the year, citing their frequent exploitation in text scams and the use of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is targeting the phaseout of 2G and 3G mobile technologies by the end of the year, citing their frequent exploitation in text scams and the use of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers.

Cybercrime body eyes phasing out 2G, 3G systems by yearend to curtail scams

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Cybercrime body eyes phasing out 2G, 3G systems by yearend to curtail scams

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 19, 2026 06:02 PM PHT

Read More:

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DICT

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