Malacañang has issued a stern warning to politicians who may have used the Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS) for political campaigning, emphasizing that such actions are not only inappropriate but could also have serious legal consequences.
In a statement on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that the ECBS is an essential tool designed solely for public safety during emergencies, such as earthquakes, typhoons and other imminent threats. Castro asserted that the misuse of this system for personal or political gain constitutes a violation of its intended purpose.
“Let us not abuse the emergency cell broadcast system. This should not be exploited by anyone for personal gain,” Castro said in Filipino.
She further explained that the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission have already initiated investigations into the matter. She made it clear that any individual or group found to have violated the law by misusing the ECBS would be subject to legal action.
Castro’s comments came in response to reports from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which had condemned the alleged use of the ECBS for political campaigning.
The OCD noted that residents in several provinces had received misleading messages, disguised as official emergency alerts, urging them to vote for specific candidates. These messages confused and raised concerns about the integrity of the system.
Globe Telecom and Smart Communications have confirmed that they did not send any ECBS messages for political purposes. Both companies reassured the OCD that the system is strictly reserved for emergencies and is not available for political or commercial use.