Verifying the Authenticity of “Warrant of Arrest” Text Messages in the Philippines (A comprehensive legal-practice note, updated to 19 June 2025)
1. Why this matters
Since 2023, Filipinos have reported a surge of SMS and chat messages claiming that a warrant of arrest has been issued against the recipient. Most are phishing or extortion attempts. Acting on a fake warrant—by “paying bail” to strangers, surrendering at an unknown address, or clicking malicious links—can expose you to identity theft, financial loss, or even physical harm. The guidance below explains how real warrants are issued and served, why courts do not notify accused persons by random text, and the concrete steps you can take to authenticate (or debunk) any such message.
Important: This note is a general guide; it is not legal advice. Always consult a Philippine lawyer if you think a genuine criminal case may exist.
2. Legal foundations of a Philippine warrant of arrest
| Provision | Key requirement |
|---|---|
| Art. III, § 2, 1987 Constitution | Probable cause personally determined by a judge, after an examination under oath, before a warrant may issue. |
| Rule 112, § 6 & Rule 113, § 7–9, Rules of Criminal Procedure (as amended) | The judge issues the warrant after finding probable cause; service is carried out by law-enforcement officers (PNP, NBI, etc.), not by court staff through personal SMS. |
| Supreme Court A.M. 21-06-08-SC (Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras, 2021) | Officers must wear body cams when serving warrants, strengthening documentation and accountability. |
| Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173) | Unlawful acquisition or misuse of personal data (e.g., using your name to threaten you with a fake warrant) may itself constitute a punishable offense. |
| Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175) | “Computer-related identity theft,” phishing, and online fraud linked to fake warrants are prosecutable cybercrimes. |
Bottom line: Only a judge can issue a warrant, and only sworn law-enforcement agents can serve it. Courts do not “push-notify” arrest warrants through informal messages like ordinary SMS or Facebook Messenger.
3. How real warrants are generated and served
Filing of a criminal complaint or information with the proper court.
Judicial determination of probable cause. The judge may personally examine the complainant and witnesses.
Issuance of a written warrant bearing:
- the exact criminal case number;
- full name and designation of the judge;
- date and court seal;
- the offense charged;
- the name/description of the accused;
- a directive to any police officer to arrest and bring the accused before the court.
Entry in the court’s docket and in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) e-Warrant or eCourts system (internal to the judiciary and the PNP).
Service by officers—usually uniformed PNP Warrant Section personnel or NBI agents—who (a) show the original warrant (or a certified copy), (b) identify themselves with badges and IDs, and (c) make a return to the issuing court after arrest.
No rule presently allows a court to consider “service accomplished” merely by sending an SMS to the accused.
4. Anatomy of the scam text
Common red flags:
| Red flag | Why it’s suspicious |
|---|---|
| Sender uses a pre-paid mobile number or generic name (“Law Office”) rather than a verifiable PNP/NBI short code. | Government agencies rarely use prepaid SIMs. |
| Text lacks a case number, court branch, or judge’s name—or uses nonsense combinations (“RTC-999-XYZ”). | Every real warrant has a unique docket entry. |
| Urgent demand for G-Cash / e-wallet payment to “settle bail” or “close the case immediately.” | Bail can be posted only with the court after arrest (or by recognizance in qualified cases). |
| Threats of immediate arrest “within 24 hours,” without giving you a certified copy. | Officers must personally present a warrant before arrest (except for warrantless-arrest situations under Rule 113, § 5). |
| Suspicious links asking for personal data or directing you to download an “official” PDF. | Phishing malware is often disguised as court documents. |
5. Step-by-step verification checklist
Stay calm & keep the message. Take screenshots; note the exact time, sender, and wording.
Look for a case number and court details. If absent or obviously fake, you can almost certainly disregard the message.
Contact the Clerk of Court of the named court (phone numbers are public on the Supreme Court website). Provide your full name and the supposed case number; ask if such a case exists and whether a warrant has been issued.
Call the PNP Warrant and Subpoena Section or the NBI Cybercrime Division. They can confirm whether your name appears in their warrant databases.
Consult your counsel (or the Public Attorney’s Office) and show them the SMS. They can enter an appearance and verify with the court.
Verify the sender’s identity:
- Google the phone number (without clicking suspicious sites) or check in messaging apps.
- Legit government numbers often have verified checkmarks (e.g., G-Philippines—Department of Justice).
Never send money or personal data to “settle” an alleged warrant. Bail is paid only to the court or its authorized depository bank after formal arrest or voluntary surrender.
Report fake messages to:
- National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) – text scam hotline 318-NTC;
- National Privacy Commission (NPC) – complaints@privacy.gov.ph;
- PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group – acg@pnp.gov.ph.
6. Your legal rights when a real warrant exists
- Right to be informed of the nature of the offense and to examine the warrant.
- Right to counsel and to remain silent.
- Right to bail (except in capital offenses with evident guilt strong).
- Right to question the warrant’s validity via Motion to Quash or Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus.
- Right to humane treatment and to be booked within a reasonable time.
If the warrant is invalid (e.g., issued without probable cause) or served in an unlawful manner, any evidence obtained may be excluded, and the arresting officers may incur administrative or criminal liability.
7. Applicable offenses for fake-warrant perpetrators
| Statute | Punishable act | Penalty range |
|---|---|---|
| RA 10175, § 4(b)(3) | Computer-related identity theft (using someone else’s name to threaten). | Prisión mayor (6 yrs 1 day – 12 yrs) + fine ≥ ₱200k. |
| RPC, Art. 315 (Estafa) | Fraudulent demand for money. | Up to reclusión temporal depending on amount. |
| RPC, Art. 177 (Usurpation of Authority) | Impersonating a law-enforcement officer or judge. | Prisión correccional (6 mos 1 day – 6 yrs). |
| RA 10173 | Unauthorized processing of personal data. | Up to 6 yrs + fine up to ₱5 m. |
8. Recent developments (2024–2025)
- Supreme Court OCA Circular 28-2024 reminded all executive judges that “Warrants shall never be served through SMS or messaging platforms in lieu of personal service.”
- The PNP’s e-Warrant System (piloted in 2024) allows real-time verification by police stations, but remains inaccessible to the general public to protect personal data.
- SIM Registration Act (RA 11934, 2022) was amended in March 2025 to accelerate SIM de-activation of numbers flagged for fake warrant scams within 48 hours of validated complaint.
9. Frequently asked questions
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can a judge e-mail or text me a copy of the warrant? | Not under current rules. Service is through law-enforcement officers. E-mails may be used for notices in civil cases, but not to serve warrants of arrest. |
| If I ignore a fake warrant text, can I be charged with resisting arrest? | No. Resisting arrest under RPC Art. 151 presupposes a lawful arrest. A scammer’s SMS is not a lawful order. |
| A caller quoted my full name, birthday, and address—could it still be fake? | Yes. Personal data are often scraped from data-breach dumps or social-media profiles. Always verify with the court. |
| Someone sent a PDF of a “warrant” with a judge’s e-signature. | Courts presently issue e-signed warrants only through the judiciary’s secure channels to law-enforcement agencies. An unsolicited PDF from a random e-mail or chat is highly suspect. |
10. Quick-reference checklist (print or save)
- Demand details: Case number, court, judge, date.
- Cross-check with the Clerk of Court by phone or in person.
- Confirm with PNP/NBI warrant desks.
- Consult counsel before taking any action.
- Do not pay, click, or share personal data.
- Report the scam to NTC 318-NTC, NPC, and PNP-ACG.
11. Key takeaways
- Philippine courts never serve arrest warrants solely by SMS or chat.
- Genuine warrants follow a strict constitutional and procedural chain—judge’s signature, docket number, and physical service by officers.
- Any message that demands money, omits court details, or originates from an unverified number is almost certainly a scam.
- Verification is straightforward: call the court, call the PNP/NBI, and ask your lawyer.
- Reporting fake-warrant texts helps authorities trace and prosecute cyber-fraud rings and protects other potential victims.
Stay vigilant. When in doubt, verify—before you comply.