By Kristel Satumbaga
National University Pep Squad coach Ghicka Bernabe said Wednesday she has already reached out to authorities to deal with her experience involving a person who got hold of her personal information through contact-tracing.
Bernabe said she has talked to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board after determining where the person has gotten hold of her personal number.
She has also identified the person and the bus company he has been working for, but refused to divulge pending investigation.
Through her own inquiries, Bernabe found out the person had gotten her personal number after she filled up an information sheet for contact-tracing before getting in the bus a few weeks ago.
On the same day, the person sent him a text message and even offered her a ride home.
Bernabe contacted the bus company involved, which neither confirmed nor denied that the person is their employee. The company also said they are not liable for the incident since it happened after she has used its services.
“Pero sa tono ng usapan namin, makikitang emplayado nila yun. And bilang empleyado nila, hindi rin tama na gamitin ang mga info na nakuha nila sa work for personal use,” she said.
Bernabe said the quarantine restrictions brought by the coronavirus pandemic might slow down the investigation, but she was thankful for the developments.
“Tumawag ako sa LTFRB and magkakaroon ng hearing, pero sa status ngayon dahil sa quarantine, hindi pa nila masabi kung kailan. To follow up lahat,” she said.
She added she only wanted to make people accountable for their actions.
“Kasi ngayon, hesitant na akong magbigay ng info for contact-tracing dahil sa nangyari. Madali kasing ma-take advantage,” Bernabe said, adding that she sometimes gives her brother’s number instead if needed.
