In Congress, a reform to the Alba Keneth Alert System is being discussed, with which it is intended that the cell phone companies alert each of the users regarding missing people.
Initiative 5883 was presented by the Podemos party on February 11, 2021. The reform, which this year is in the second debate, consists of adding numeral 7 to article 7 of decree 20-2010, which states that, “ It must be disclosed and informed through the telephone service provided by the Guatemalan telephone companies, so that they send a text message with a ringtone that the companies provide, which includes the information of the minor in a state of risk and danger. for his disappearance, and If possible, photograph it.”
It is also indicated that the messages disseminated may be at the departmental, regional or national level, depending on the circumstances of the disappearance, abduction or kidnapping of the minor.
Necessary measure
Claudia Hernández, director of the Sobreviveintes Foundation, reiterated that this initiative has been discussed for years and He hopes that it will be approved during this legislative period.
“For the benefit of society, it would be good for telephone companies to help in issuing alerts so that they reach all places.”
“We are very sorry that it was not possible previously because the telephone companies have opposed it, arguing that sIt would annoy users by sending alerts at any time, But we must also reiterate that at every moment we receive advertising that we did not request, so, if they can send that advertising, why can’t they send the alerts,” Hernández questioned.
Given the discussion of this regulation, a position was once once more requested from the companies Tigo and Claro, and through the Social Communication offices it was reported that they are analyzing the issue and will soon issue a response. However, in May 2021, through the Public Relations Office, the company Claro responded that they were willing to collaborate with the dissemination of the alerts.
“Faithful to our commitment to the Guatemalan population, to support streamlining and making more efficient the transfer of information in times of emergency, we are willing to collaborate in the search for a comprehensive solution from the technological field,” they indicated.
On the same date, the Tigo company responded:
“At the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, our platforms were available to the government to transmit prevention messages that reached millions of Guatemalans. In the case of the Alba Keneth alerts, we are working together with an inter-institutional panel to search for and evaluate options that are truly efficient and achieve their purpose, but that are also technically viable.”
Located
According to data from the Attorney General’s Office (PGN), since 2010 when the alert system was created, until 2023, 62,726 children and adolescents reported missing or stolen have been located.
The PGN details that currently around 432 alerts per month, whose average ranges from 15 per day.
Official statistics show that cases predominate in children, and the ages range between 13 and 17 years.
The title of this alert originates from the children’s name Dawn Michelle Spain Diaz and Keneth Alexis Lopez Augustine, two children who disappeared and died tragically in two different places in Guatemala.
España Díaz disappeared on June 14, 2007, two days before her 9th birthday. The next morning his body was found destroyed. The aggressors were later captured and sentenced.
López Agustín disappeared on December 16, 2009 in Jalapa. He was kidnapped by two people who had been offered Q10 thousand for the minor. His body was buried in the garden of a neighboring house.
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