Malacañang has warned against the use of the government’s Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS) for political campaigning, following reports that a local candidate used it to promote his name ahead of the May 12 elections.
“We remind everyone that the emergency alert system is meant for one thing only — emergencies,” said Claire Castro, Presidential Communications undersecretary and Palace press officer, during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Castro stressed that the ECBS, or simply Emergency Alert, is designed to send life-saving messages to the public during disasters or threats to safety, and not for personal or political promotion.
“The ECBS is a tool to help save lives during typhoons, earthquakes, and other emergencies. Any other use is a serious abuse of public trust,” she said.
The government may take legal action
The ECBS is managed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) under the Department of National Defense (DND). The OCD is tasked with running the country’s disaster risk reduction and response programs in coordination with national agencies, private institutions, and civic groups.
Reports surfaced over the weekend that a candidate in an unidentified local area used the system to send alerts bearing his name. In response, Castro said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) are now investigating the incident.
“The government will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone found guilty of misusing this system,” Castro added.
The Palace emphasized that emergency communication channels must remain free from political interference to protect their credibility and effectiveness during real emergencies.