Leading digital solutions platform Globe blocked another record-high in fraud-linked SIMs in the first nine months of the year via its Stop Spam reporting portal, as it observed a staggering rise in the number of SIMs from other networks used in spam and scam activities.

Globe blocked a total of 154,569 SIMs in the first nine months of the year, including 148,515 from other networks blacklisted, and 6,054 from its own network deactivated. This represents a steep climb from the total 35,558 blacklisted and deactivated SIMs within the same period last year.

Notably, blacklisted SIMs– which include numbers from other networks– soared this year with 148,515 as of end September, an increase of over 667.8% from the same period last year at 19,343.

Meanwhile, the number of Globe SIMs deactivated over fraud links decreased, from 16,215 in the first nine months of 2022, to 6,054 in the same three quarters, a 62.66% decline.

“With our proactive efforts via our Stop Spam portal bolstered by the SIM Registration Law, we were able to block a new record high in SIMs linked to fraud. Through collaboration and use of technology, we are gaining headway against these criminals,” said Anton Bonifacio, Chief Information Security Officer at Globe.

The company has invested heavily in state-of-the-art systems for detecting and blocking spam. It has spent US$20 million on its Security Operations Center, which works round-the-clock to filter out unwanted messages, including app-to-person and person-to-person SMS from international and domestic sources.

Globe encourages customers to continue to report suspicious messages from unknown senders to its #StopSPAM portal. (PR)

ORMOC CITY-Local police are conducting a thorough investigation surrounding the death of a backhoe operator who was found lifeless in the backseat of a dump truck in Burauen, Leyte.

Burauen chief of police, Major Ariel Salarda, identified the victim as just alias “Bachao”, 24, single, backhoe operator at GC Marketing Sand and Gravel and a resident of Barangay Girang, Basey, Samar.

Initial investigation conducted by responding police disclosed that the victim was found by the checker at GC Marketing Sand and Gravel identified as by Joemar Badjon, lying on the backseat of the dump truck at about 7 am on Monday (Nov.27).

Badjon tried to wake up the victim but was unresponsive.

The local police are now conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the victim’s death and requested the Leyte Forensic Unit to process the crime scene if there was any foul play. The cadaver of the victim was brought to Ace Apostol Funeral Services here for post-mortem examination. (ROBERT DEJON)

PALO,Leyte– The National Irrigation Administration Regional Office 8(NIA-8), in collaboration with other agencies, on Wednesday(Nov.29), broke ground for the construction of a water conservancy combined with schistosomias control(WCCSC) project at Barangay Anahaway, this town.

Funded by the Chinese government at an estimated cost of P5 million, the WCCSC project is designed to help provide potable water and control the further spread of schistosomiasis infection. It will be installed in barangays Teraza and Anahaway in the province of Leyte, a place with high prevalence of the disease compared with other provinces in the country.
NIA-8 Acting Regional Manager Jaime de Jesus thanked the distinguished guests and partner agencies for making the momentous event in Leyte province possible. (Photo: PIA Region VIII)

This project is a collaboration between NIA, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Department of Health Regional Office 8 (DOH-8), Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, and the municipal government of Palo.

University of the Philippines Institute of Biology Assistant Professor Dr. Ian Kim Tabios, one of the proponents of the WCCSC project, said the Chinese collaborators will not only help the farmers prevent being infected with schistosomiasis, but will also address issues with farming.

The riverbank in Brgy. Anahaway, which will soon be transformed into an innovative irrigation canal for the WCCSC project. (Photo: PIA Region VIII).

“We hope that this will be a preliminary study that can be replicated in other parts of the Philippines. So, this is a good opportunity for us and here in Palo, Leyte, to be a model area for the development of the irrigation canals in the Philippines in relation to the control of schistosomiasis,” Tabios added.

Due to the long-standing concern over schistosomiasis in her area of jurisdiction, Palo Mayor Remedios Matin Petilla expressed gratitude to the Chinese government, NIA-8, and other partner government agencies involved with the upcoming construction of the WCCSC.
Petilla also assured that they have full support for the program and that the municipality of Palo will provide the necessary assistance to make the project a reality.

‘We are committed to all interests. We see to it that everything is put in place and that everything will go through as planned because we want the project, and we have been expecting this project,” Petilla said.

Dr. Antonio Ida, the DOH officer in Leyte Province, expressed appreciation for the project and looked forward to its positive impact. He emphasized the prevalence of the parasitic disease and urged the public to remain vigilant.

Leyte Provincial DOH Officer Dr. Antonio Ida is also grateful for the project and is hoping for positive benefits once it materializes, as cases of the said acute and chronic parasitic disease have not yet ceased to exist, and he wants the public to be more vigilant.

“We still have moderate cases here in Leyte. Ibig sabihin mayroon pa tayong nakikitang kaso ng schistosomiasis complications. Speaking of complications, yung affected yung liver, mayroong mga seizure, cerebral schistosomiasis, and there are also patients with bleeding. Yun po ang malala,” Dr. Ida said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Zhongwu Jin, the Director General of the Research Department of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute of Changjiang Water Resources Commission, reiterated that they are dedicated to sharing their expertise and knowledge in combating schistosomiasis with the Filipinos using the tried and tested schistosomiasis prevention practices through the WCCSC project.

“Through this cooperative effort, we also anticipate deepening our mutual understanding, acting as a link and bridge to fortify the bonds between China and the Philippines. It is our sincere hope to strengthen the long-standing friendship between our two nations,” Jin said.
(MMP/VCCL/PIA Leyte)