(Image by Mohammed Hassan/Pixabay)

Police authorities and Globe Telecom’s security team have intensified their nationwide clampdown on unauthorized sale of international long distance calls in a bid to effectively utilize the telco’s revenues in enhancing wireline services. They recently conducted a raid in Cebu City, nabbing a Korean restaurant owner who was conspiring with his Filipino business partner for hacking into the international gateway facilities (IGFs) of Globe.

Arrested during the raid on Aug. 9 was Jin Sung Kim, who is found to be engaging in illegal international simple resale (ISR) activities. Kim is now detained pending the filing of criminal charges for violating Section 33 of Republic Act 8792 otherwise or the E-Commerce Law as well as RA 8383 or the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998 for allegedly engaging in ISR activities.

His Filipino business partner, Blessy Sauro Encluna, remains at large. Encluna will also be criminally charged for the same violation.

ISR refers to the unauthorized routing and completing of international long distance calls using lines, cables, antennae, and/or air wave frequency and connecting these calls directly to the local or domestic exchange facilities of the country where destined.

ISR operators often lease dedicated lines to make direct calls abroad and use the facilities to sell international call minutes to consumers at a much lower price.

The restaurant owners operate at No. 81 2nd St. Beverly Hills, Brgy. Lahug, Cebu City.

Globe said the rampant practice of international simple resale is robbing off the network of revenues, which are supposed to be used to subsidize capital extensive local exchange networks that allow landline users to enjoy competitive monthly charges.

Globe has been working with local government units and police forces for over a decade now in the battle against ISR syndicates.