There wre a lot of concessions being made during the 5-day visit of the Pope. There’s cancellation of domestic and int’l flights, road re-routing, class/work suspension, no drone flying zones and the suspension of telecom services by telcos.
Yesterday, just moment before the arrival of the Pope in the Philippines, network service by all telcos were suspended or turned off.
This resulted into partial or full shutdown of services — limited to no SMS, voice or data services.
In our own quick survey among readers, the network services heavily affected are areas in Makati, Pasay and Manila. However, there are reports of loss in signal even as far down as Paranaque and Cavite (our team in Cavite reported PLDT Ultera services went down to a crawl and CSR confirmed) as far up as Caloocan and Bulacan.
Accroding to SMS notifications sent by the netwoorks at around 9PM, the intermittent network services were due to the huge volume of people flocking the affected areas (specifically Makati, Pasay and Manila).
Likewise, suceeding SMS messages also confirmed that telcos had to abide by the mandate of NTC to suspend or limit services due to security reasons caused by the Pope’s visit.
Here are copies of those SMS messages:
Smart has warned that similar outages will continue to happen in the next few days (perhaps until the 19th).
This is perhaps the first time in recent hsitory that the Government, via the NTC, has mandated suspension of telecom services metro-wide in numerous cities and for several days due to security reasons. Similar situations before were only isolated to specific areas.
The Pope, as head of Roman Catholic Church and head of state of Vatican, is a huge security concern that required such compliance.
Updated: According to telco sources, the mandate was for areas where the Pope is traveling and per cell tower. Cities like Las Pinas or Bacoor may also be affected due to the radius of the cell towers (in the case of MOA where the it’s down during the time). Cell signal is then automatically restored once the Pope leaves a specific area.
This means network engineers have to be on rotation 24/7 to monitor the location of the Pope and to turn the cell towers in nearby areas.
Here’s a copy of their official statement:
Globe Advisory: Globe customers who are participating in today’s Papal events may experience temporary loss of mobile services. This is being done for security reasons in compliance with the government’s directive. However, DSL services in the affected areas and our mobile services are up in cities outside the Papal events. Rest assured that mobile signal will be restored as soon as we get a go signal from the NTC. We apologize for the inconvenience. We hope for your understanding. We’re working closely with the government for the safe visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines. Thank you.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
How to transfer, withdraw money from PayPal to GCash
Prices of Starlink satellite in the Philippines
Install Google GBox to Huawei smartphones
Pag-IBIG MP2 online application
How to check PhilHealth contributions online
How to find your SIM card serial number
Globe, PLDT, Converge, Sky: Unli fiber internet plans compared
10 biggest games in the Google Play Store
LTO periodic medical exam for 10-year licenses
Netflix codes to unlock hidden TV shows, movies
Apple, Asus, Cherry Mobile, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Oppo, Samsung, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Infinix Mobile, Pocophone, Honor, iPhone, OnePlus, Tecno, Realme, HTC, Gionee, Kata, IQ00, Redmi, Razer, CloudFone, Motorola, Panasonic, TCL, Wiko
Best Android smartphones between PHP 20,000 - 25,000
Smartphones under PHP 10,000 in the Philippines
Smartphones under PHP 12K Philippines
Best smartphones for kids under PHP 7,000
Smartphones under PHP 15,000 in the Philippines
Best Android smartphones between PHP 15,000 - 20,000
Smartphones under PHP 20,000 in the Philippines
Most affordable 5G phones in the Philippines under PHP 20K
5G smartphones in the Philippines under PHP 16K
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2024
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2023
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2022
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2021
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2020
mirandaiman says:
Masyado talagang malaking abala ang pagkawala ng signal during the times na nandito si pope, ilang porsyento lang naman ang dumalo sa mga misa sa kabubuan ng nakatira sa Manila at sa mga karagating na lugar, maliit lang. Yung mga hindi lumabas katulad ko, mas pinili na magstay sa bahay na para akong natrap sa isang deserted island, walang ginawa kundi manood ng TV at ako pa lang un paano pa yung iba na may mga commitments at lalo na yung emergencies we cannot tell, nonetheless I understood the NTC’s action, but then sa ginawa nila isa lang ang napatunayan ko, hindi naging confident ang gobyerno sa security measures na ginawa nila… diba may mga pinakalat na sandamakmak na pulis naman militar, Im sure marami ding mga nakatagong nagmamasid mula sa malalayong lugar pati mga dalang bag dapat transparent na plastic bag at meron ding special forces ang Vatican para kay pope Im sure binigay na ang lahat ng makakaya ng gobyerno para protektahan si pope, pag may nangyaring gulo sa i bang lugar feeling ko mahihirapan silang sugpuin yun kasi nakadeploy halos lahat ng pulis ng Maynila sa lugar kung nasan si Pope, at yung mga nakalapit kay pope, alam ko din na dumaan sila sa matinding inspection bago sila makalapit, parang ano pa ba kulang, hindi ba? ibig sabihin kahit gobyerno walang tiwala sa sarili nating security forces.. and that what makes me sad :(
pisting_yawa says:
Anlaking perwisyo lalo na sa may mga lakad dahil hindi mo makontak ang whereabouts ng mga kasamahan mo. Idagdag mo pa kung may mga emergencies.
Pero kahit ganun hindi man ako Catholic sa tingin ko okay yung decision ng NTC to suspend telco services. Hindi lang si Pope Francis ang kailangan ng security sa lugar na yun. Isipin mo na lang kung may bomba na sumabog doon activated thru cellphone call or text. Bukod sa 20 kataong posibleng mamatay on the spot siguradong libu-libo ang fatalities gawa ng stampede.
Rico G says:
Tama po ginawa ng Gov’t Security reason po di lamang for Pope pati na rin sa lahat ng pumunta sa mga events ng Pope.. Kaya rin po pinatay ang signal ng mobile phones kasi yung may masasamang gawain or mga terorista eh pwedeng gamitin mga cellphone as trigerring device. So para na rin po walang mangyaring ganito like sa ibang bansa. Meron naman po sa Quezon City at di nawawala ang Signal ng Globe….. Lipat nalang kayo ng QC at lipat na rin sa Globe… Peace po
John says:
Why would someone suspend the basic communication service of the public for the Pop’s visit? Why these kind of fucking shit happening? Why would Govt. put common people in trouble? SIlly Filippinos!
Popo says:
Para sa akin ayos lang yun ginawa ng mga Telco, for security purpose naman eh. Ang mali lang para sakin ay nag inform sila after ng mawalan ng signal yung phone ko ng mahigit 3 hours.
Hapyy says:
Nakakatuwa naman dahil maraming MATATALINONG mga pilipino. Ftw philippines!
Mark says:
Wala naman akong problema dyan dahil isa sa mga security measures yan. Ang problema lang sa NTC at telco, hindi sila nag bigay ng advance notice sa subscribers nila. Kung 2-3 days before, nag announce sila na magkakaroon ng service disruption, walang magpapanic at walang tatanga-tanga sa mga comments section ng blogs.
Popo says:
Agree, dapat talag nag inform man lang sila hindi yung lahat ng subscriber nagtataka.
Dan says:
Globe marunong magsuspend ng service sa mga lugar na dadaanan lang ni Jorge. Smart/Sun hindi smart dahil pinatay buong Metro Manila hanggang karatig probinsya. Stupid talaga!
At kung may mangyari kay Jorge, wawa naman sya but he lived a full life. Di ako mahihiya, di naman ako guwadiya nya.
jmr_85 says:
I see the point, but what’s with the shutdown of services in Shaw? In QC? In Cainta? In Marikina? That’s too much and this took 6 hours. You just crippled the BPO Industry, especially the ones who work from home using mobile connections.
c says:
Parang tanga lang. Anong silbi noon? Tama nga ang sabi ni Jo Hunter
Jo Hunter says:
Ugh, no. Sabi na nga ba malaking kabobohan na naman ang dahilan nito. If I were a terrorist seeking to wreak terror, I will not depend on a method of communication na madaling ma-disrupt, like cell phone/internet (especially with the kind of incompetent service we get from Globe and Smart). Besides, actual execution of terrorist plots require very little communication kasi pre-planned na siya. Clockwork coordination na lang yun. So turning off network service disrupted only regular users and not terrorists. The only reason hindi nagkagulo kasi walang nanggulo.
Furthermore, civil liberties should not be restricted for any reason. We’re not in a crisis situation, we’re not at war. I can understand security concerns, but they’re not enough reason to deny the population their right to be able to communicate. Ang problema kasi dito the people tasked to do security are not good enough to do the job kaya kung ano-anong kaengotan na lang ang ginawa nila, kahit hindi naman talaga nakatulong.
dzandueta says:
“civil liberties should not be restricted for any reason.”
If EVERYONE can be trusted to conduct themselves accordingly, then everyone’s civil liberties likely won’t have to be restricted. Besides, we don’t live in a dictatorship anymore as opposed to the ’70’s.
Dragon Voice Speech says:
This is absolutely ridiculous. They need to just make their security better.
dzandueta says:
Easier said than done, bud, especially with thousands to millions of people to handle. Besides, you’re always welcome to suggest how to do what you said.
charaught says:
@archie
Kahit na…kahit anong pang dakdak mo jan, eh kung may mangyari jan? Kahihiyan na naman ng bansa sa mundo, sisihin na naman ang gobyerno kasi nagkulang sa ganito ganyan. Maging transparent ka, wag puro muhi ang pinapairal.
angel says:
Di ako sang-ayon sa ginawa ng gobyerno na i-interrupt ang cell signals.
Ngayon kung ipu-punto naman ang pagiging head of state ni Pope, ito ay invalid pa rin dahil first and foremost ang Pope ay representative ng Dios ng simbahan sa lupa, ibig sabihin mahina ang Dios nila against sa mga nagtatangka sa Pope Niya?
bryan_mmx says:
To the ignorant people who has no idea why this is happening
http://www.rappler.com/specials/pope-francis-ph/80492-pope-john-paul-assassination-plot
Good of them to write this up. Saves me the trouble of searching.
pinpoint015 says:
Pope Francis is both a Head of State and Head of the largest religion in the world. Kaya ganyan ang security. Saka para yan di lang sa safety nya, kundi yung libo-libong nanunuod sa kanya. Tama lang yan. Tiis tiis na lang.
Mac says:
It seems logical and understandable what they did. It will prevent remote detonation of bombs or hinder it and possible coordination of terrorists. The cel network is the easiest way those who plot evil can implement their plan.
I am not a catholic but a born again, but if something happens to the pope, I am sure there will be retaliation and possibly war. Even though he is just a regular person, the position he holds makes him a prized trophy for those who want to destroy Christian world.
The government weighs which is more important. They do not always have the option to do both
Lash says:
Sa tingin mali yung ginawa ng NTC.
Marami sa atin na cellphone lamg ang gamit na pantawag. Paano na yung mga emergency, mahihirapan silang humingi ng tulong. Paano na yung merong business, hindi sila ma contact ng kanilang kasosyo.
Pwedeng sabihin na para sa seguridad ng Santo Papa. Pero, hindi naman kailangang mag-usap yung mga nagtatangkang manggulo.
Isipin na rin natin na maaring ibigay ito (seguridad ng isang politiko) na dahilan upang magkaroon ng communications blackout.
Hindi ko rin sugurado na merong kapangyarihan ang NTC na sabihan ang mga telecommunication companies na mag blackout.
Sorry, kung hindi masyadong maayos ang pagsabi ko. Pero, sana maintindihan pa rin ninyo.
bern says:
Hindi naman masisira negosyo nila sa ilang minutong interruption nila sa ibang tinapay o gasul na delivery. I bet it, kahit malakas pa signal may delay at delay kahit sa delivery. Pano ko alam eh may negosyo din kami
'em says:
Pre, opisina lang walang pasok. Pero food establishments, water refilling stations, nagtitinda ng gasul, etc. may pasok…
Bumili ako ng tinapay sa isang bakery/bakeshop kanina at narinig ko na nagkakaproblema sila sa delivery kasi through mobile lang nila pwede makontak yung source.
hack__you says:
isipin nyo rin na cellphone via txt or call ang pinakamadaling detonator ng bomba kaya po ginawa yan.
bern says:
I think wala naman yatang business activity so far kasi naka holiday naman. And hindi naman sya total black out. As you can see, service interruption lang. This will discourage sa mga masasamang elemento to further communicate with regards to bombing etc. Lahat kasi ng act of terrorizing naka sentro sa coordination. So if ma intterupt ng kahit segundo, ung assasination attempt will fail.
Toink says:
Hahaha!
emily says:
Ikaw ang bobo archie. Hindi lang naman buhay ng santo papa ng katoliko ang nakataya dito kundi ng buong mamayanan. Am not catholic but i think the move is for security reason. Ung hundreds of thousands to millions of people na pupunta are candidate for terrorism which libo libong katao ang mawawala. Even me nakakatakot pumunta sa mga big gathering esp may banta na sa buhay ng dadalo.
CPantaleon says:
@dash and @emily
Dahil lang tinignan yung ibang side ng sitwasyon maliban sa “public safety” and kay “Pope Francis”, eh Anti-Christ, bobo’t walang pinag-aralan na?
I echo @sam’s comments.. do you really have to call out names? Is it really necessary to force your beliefs on to another person?
sam says:
Hey emily and archie salutations! Guys I just wanted to remind you Christian or not please do not degrade one another. Remember to act accordingly even on the internet. Both of you have your own points and views but it doesn’t mean that you would not behave. Gusto ko lang po remind sa inyo na para saan pa po ba ang pagiging Catholic kung hindi mo naman kayang gampanan ang role ng isang Catholic, opo naniniwala ka sa Diyos pero yung actions niyo naman po hindi nag rereflect sa paniniwala niyo. Kahit nama po siguro hindi kayo Catholic I think it is in order that you act nicely and behave poperly kasi po we are in social media. Baka po nakalimot kayo I am just reminding you kung bakit po Mercy and Compassion ang theme ng Pope. Hindi ko po objective na I pahiya kayo kasi hindi na po maganda ang nagiging conversation niyo. Hindi naman po ganon ang paniniwala ng isa bobo na at walang na pag-aralan baka nakalimot lang kayo. Please remember who the enemy is and God bless you both.
P.S. masyado na po itong gamit pero THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK
emily says:
@bobong archie. Sayang di ka nag iisip. Kahit hindi mag declare ng holiday ang govt, hundreds to millions ang tao aalis sa work at dagdagsa sa kamaynilaan para makapunta dun. Di mo ba naiisip na mas lalong paralyzed ang mangyayari at mahirapan lang pumasok mga tao? Naanticipate na yan at pinag aaralan yan. Kagaya lang nyan if may paparating na bagyo, mas mabuti pang magcancel na ng pasok ng maaga kaysa hintayin pa ang araw. I dont like the govt and politics but if ako nasa pwesto, ganun din gagawin ko. The holidays are justified. Matulog ka na lang dyan sa lungga mo
emily says:
@bobong archie. Yep. 20 years is not bad to do that treatment. Ang 5 days na kawalan is not a big deal. As if makareklamo ka naubusan ka ng garapata sa katawan eh nasa lungga ka lang naman naka nganga at tulog buong araw
dash says:
@archie
si archie ksi , anti-christ yan, di nagtapos ng pag aaral yan, pag pasensyahan nlng ung taong ganyan ksi wlang matinong utak yan ehh. baka terorrista yan ksi biruin mo, nag rereklamo siya sa mahigit na 1 million na to hindi man lng pinansin yang maliit na bagay na yan. isa pa , we do believe in god, pope is the only way for us to cleanse our sins, and be with god forever, hindi si GOD yan, si POPE yan, di kmi bobo na katulad mo. mamatay ka nang tangina mo ka.
charaught says:
Kahit na…kahit anong pang dakdak mo jan, eh kung may mangyari jan? Kahihiyan na naman ng bansa sa mundo, sisihin na naman ang gobyerno kasi nagkulang sa ganito ganyan. Maging transparent ka, wag puro muhi ang pinapairal.
archie says:
@emily Siguro may kamag anak kang politician kaya nabutthurt ka. Ano ang laging sinasabi ni Francis pag bumibisita siya? Wag nyo akong bigyan ng special treatment, may purpose ang pagpunta ko kaya ayoko ng celebrity spotlight, ayoko ng nalaking parada dahil di ako pumunta para pagkaguluhan. At anong ginawa ng mga tarantado sa malakanyang at cbcp? Nagdeclare ng walang kwentang holiday, paralyzed ang govt public service cancelled ang importanteng flights ng mga tao. Mas mahalaga ba si Francis kesa sa mga to? Hindi. Nagiisip ba si Noynoy na parang presidente? Hindi. Kung pulitiko ka din emily, bobo ka dahil mas mahalaga ang papal visit sayo kesa sa bansa.
Mon says:
I agree, it’s an inconvenience, but considering there will be millions attending to see the leader of the catholic world, the risk is too high
and its not like they took down the networks to attack free speech or anything :P
relax, yan problema sa mga pilipino, sobrang madali magalit, hindi muna i-consider yung situation.
Alphere says:
Sige sambahin nyo si Francis wag yung mismong God.
archie says:
Bobo talaga tong gobyerno natin. Mas pinili pang pilayin ang mga public service dahil lang dumating si Francis. Tao lang si Francis, wag nyong gawing big deal dahil siya na din ang may sabi na wag syang bibigyan ng rockstar treatment dahil tacloban lang ang gusto nyang daanan.
Christopher says:
The shutdown of telco service was done previously. I believe during the Feast of Black Nazarene, the telcos were asked to shut down cellular signal on the procession areas. This was done last year or 2 years ago