Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Forty-one percent of Filipinos have experienced mobile phone theft, according to a study commissioned by software company Galileo Services Inc.

To combat this problem, a group of Filipino developers led by Engr. Jun Lozada, has launched an app called TARA, or Theft Apprehension and Asset Recovery Application.

It’s the first telco-enabled killswitch app that lets users lock, locate, and wipe out files remotely in case their mobile phone gets stolen.

“Ano ba ang worrisome? Identity theft,” said Lozada. “We are now a smartphone society. Opportunity for thieving rises.”

He added that the TARA is well-suited for the Philippines — the app operates even without WiFi access, mobile data or cellphone load.

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Users can activate TARA for only P15 for a week, P50 for a month, and P500 for a year’s subscription.

How TARA works

After downloading TARA on another phone, users have to register and receive an eight-digit PIN. In case a phone theft occurs, they simply have to text this to 5161:

LOCK (space) PHONE NUMBER (space) eight-digit PIN

This will immediately activate an alarm and lock the stolen phone. If the thief replaces the SIM card or removes the battery, the alarm will still be activated once the phone is switched on.

Once the alarm goes off, TARA locks the phone’s controls so there is no way to turn down its volume, even if a headset is plugged in. The silent function is also disabled.

The app can be downloaded from the Google PlayStore, but it’s only available for SMART, Talk ‘N Text, and SUN Cellular subscribers.

However, Lozada said TARA will be available for iOS and other networks by the end of the year.

“Other features will be added,” he said. “The idea is for this to be part of the mobile lifestyle.”

The developers are also set to introduce TARA to countries in South and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America in the coming months.