Telecoms

Globe cuts off service on Black Nazarene due to security

Abe Olandres January 9, 2012 · 1 min read

Listen to article

BPI expands barcode cash deposit service to Robinsons Retail stores Instagram removes end-to-end encryption for DMs Sony confirms Xperia 1 VIII launch date Globe AT HOME offers free upgrades to 1Gbps and Wifi 6 routers to loyal postpaid subscribers HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro now open for pre-order in PH

If you are wondering why there’s no cellular signal around Quiapo and neighboring areas from Globe and other telcos today, it’s because they’ve cut off signal for security reasons as we celebrate the Black Nazarene.

Globe has been sending out notices via Twitter/FB (and just now, via SMS) that this is in accordance to government requests.

The President has earlier made an announcement that terror threats have been raised to coincide with the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.

The request to cut off cell signal in those areas could be a precautionary measure (probably to hinder remotely-triggered bombs).

Other telcos were also asked by the government to suspende services in the areas where the procession will happen. We haven’t gotten any SMS alert from Smart or Sun Cellular yet as of this time.

React to this article:

black nazarene no signal globe philippines no signal smart no signal smart philippines smart no signal

Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

7,991 Articles

View all posts by Abe Olandres →

42 Comments

penoynoob · 14 years ago

A dumb move from a dumb president. What do you expect?

Jerwin Paglicawan · 14 years ago

dapat kasi lahat ng SIM naka-register na…hindi yung basta-basta nabibili lang sa tindahan ni Mang Juan.

Ed Umbao · 14 years ago

Thanks for the information I received the message late. This news makes me aware that indeed my mobile had no problem. Thanks

Wendell Tan · 14 years ago

Good for those who were not affected.

Wendell Tan · 14 years ago

Good for those who were not affected with the signal blockage.

Iyan Sommerset · 14 years ago

Amen to that. While the request makes some level of logical sense, it does infringe on our civil freedoms on the same level as a media blackout or internet censorship. Personally if they wanted to do this, they should’ve used jammers around specific areas and not a mass-shutdown of specific cell towers and/or services. A little more palatable compromise, however still despicable.

Besides, what’s to stop insurgents from using radio, time-delay or manually-detonated explosives? Suicide vests? Grenade/pill-box throwers? This is a blanket-“solution” to only one aspect of a bigger problem that the mass-“solution” does not address.

To quote Full Metal Jacket: “They’d rather be alive than free I guess. Poor dumb bastards.”

SarcasmGal · 14 years ago

Why of course. Why would I like the doors to my house if the burgler can just break the door? I did not think of that. Thank you.

Iyan Sommerset · 14 years ago

Now if I, or other non-you party were to seal you in your house with doors of our own making, which you have no power to operate by yourself, “for your own safety”, then your post would make some semblance of relevance. :P

benchmark · 14 years ago

sorry pero bakit ka naman magproprotesta in a Black Nazarene procession? Siguro mga anti-Christ will do that or other people who don’t respect other’s religious belief.

It’s for security reason…and like what I read in FB, maybe to prevent na din false text messages that will make the attendees panic from what they got in their SMS (which is false).

Buti nga announced…kesa naman no announcement…dun ka magtaka.

Tiger · 14 years ago

Anything that will save a single life is a good plan.

vince · 14 years ago

What measures are there to prevent misuse of this power? What if there was a legal anti-pnoy (EDSA kwatro or singko type) demonstration and a cellphone signal blackout was ordered by pnoy to prevent protesters from coordinating?

Jake · 14 years ago

napaka babaw magisip ni vince.

Pawn · 14 years ago

“The REQUEST to cut off cell signal in those areas could be a precautionary measure”

EVEN if it was a forced shutdown of mobile services, it would be a case to case basis. And in this case, the safety of the public was put in to priority.

Dexie · 14 years ago

Hala, hala. Unang-una, unless mahawakan ni Noynoy ang telcos or threaten them all to death, siguradong hindi papayag yung mga telcos to do a signal blackout. Laki kaya ng malulugi nila a day.

Isa pa, hindi lang landline/cellphone/internet ang meron tayo. Andaming TV stations diyan, may radyo, may print. Kung may Edsa 4 man malamang bago pa mawala ang GMA at ABS sa ere e nasa Edsa na lahat ng maka-oposisyon.

vince · 14 years ago

Even if you say “oh the telcos aren’t under pnoy’s thumb”, well that’s for now. what about in the future with other presidents?

blitzkrieg · 14 years ago

I understand the point you are making, Vince, but you’re an idiot for comparing protests and demonstrations to matters of National Security. I’d rather have my wireless service jammed for a few hours, than have an IED blow up next to me.

vince · 14 years ago

what are the legal procedures for signal blackouts of this kind?

A raid has to have a search warrant and a warrant is not that easy to get because if anyone can order a house raided then it is open to abuse like what was seen in political arrests made during the martial law years.

What if there was a legal anti-pnoy demonstration and a cellphone signal blackout was ordered by pnoy??