MMDA takes action vs NCAP text scams

MANILA, Philippines — Text messages posing as alerts about the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) have been flagged by the Metro Manila Development Authority.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes has filed a complaint regarding the text scams.

At a press briefing, Artes said he wrote to the Department of Information and Communications Technology along with the Credit Information Corp., noting that the MMDA has no power to apprehend scammers.

“We do not have the capability to catch them. We have to rely on law enforcement agencies to capture scammers,” he said.

The police Anti-Cybercrime Group is investigating the fraudulent scheme.

Artes said people should coordinate with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or Anti-Money Laundering Council to halt the payment system.

“We will coordinate on how to stop the entry and exit of payment to scammers,” he said.

Artes warned motorists about text scams using credit cards as they are more rampant in using NCAP to access information.

Despite the irregularities, Artes encouraged the use of NCAP, saying it eases traffic congestion.

Artes said he is coordinating with local government units to address concerns regarding NCAP.

In June, three Supreme Court justices said issues linked to NCAP must be resolved, such as the honorarium provision in the joint venture agreement with QPax Traffic Systems Inc.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday said they will pursue the implementation of NCAP.

“We want to resolve the abuses of traffic enforcers for the longest time. We will be disciplined by this policy. Kotong will be removed,” Moreno said, referring to law enforcers demanding bribes. — Ghio Ong, Emmanuel Tupas, Evelyn Macairan