THE Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has proposed an amendment to a city ordinance that would require individuals selling secondhand cellular phones to undergo police verification.
QCPD Director Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio said the proposal was made after a review of crime patterns involving mobile devices saw the need to reinforce the implementation of City Ordinance SP-1679, S-2006, which governs the sale, purchase, and pawn of used cellular phones.
“The proposed amendment aims to counter the evolving tactics used by criminals to dispose of stolen devices while also offering greater protection for legitimate buyers and sellers,” Silvio said.
Under the proposal, anyone intending to sell a secondhand cellphone would first be required to obtain a Certificate of Police Record Verification from the police station with jurisdiction over the seller’s residence or the location of the transaction, the QCPD chief said.
He said the verification process would include identity validation, documentation of the device’s specific details, and a check against police records to determine whether the unit has been reported stolen or is connected to any ongoing investigation.
Should no adverse record be found at the time of verification, the concerned police station may issue the corresponding certificate solely to facilitate the lawful sale of the device.
This issuance, however, shall be without prejudice to any future investigation should new evidence come to light, according to the top QCPD official.
The QCPD said that the proposed measure is designed to serve as a deterrent against cellphone theft, fencing, and the circulation of illegally acquired devices.
“As criminals continue to adapt their methods, law enforcement must likewise strengthen its preventive measures. This proposal seeks to protect the public by ensuring that secondhand cellphone transactions are conducted responsibly and that stolen devices are kept from re-entering the market,” Silvio said.
He urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing used cell phones, noting that those who knowingly buy, possess, or deal in stolen property may be held liable under Presidential Decree 1612, or the Anti-Fencing Law.
