Local Telco Companies Deal With Illegal Cable Cutting and Stealing

Telecommunication companies in the Philippines have experienced at least a thousand occurrences of cable sabotage and theft of network equipment in Q1 of 2022.

Local telco companies are telling their consumers to be careful and remain vigilant in light of these illegal activities disturbing their internet connection.

A group of men recently damaged and cut PLDT’s fiber optic cables which disrupted PLDT’s services in Laguna. There are reports nationwide of PLDT fiber optic cables being damaged and causing inconvenience to many users.

PLDT has noted more than 200 cases of sabotage and theft which has cost the company millions of pesos in network restoration costs.

This month, police apprehended criminals stealing Globe Telecom Inc’s cables in Quezon City and Cavite.

In Cavite, police apprehended three men with 50 boxes of stolen Globe cables worth an estimated ₱129,000 while in Congressional Avenue, Quezon City, a man was apprehended for stealing copper wires from Bayantel.

For the first half of 2022, Globe reported charges against 267 persons, including party contractors for cable theft and other criminal charges.

Data depicts that around 567 theft incidents occurred in Globe sites with 306 of these copper cable theft, and 82 cases of stolen batteries from cell sites. An estimated 10 generator sets and 5,280 liters of fuel were illegally taken from different sites nationwide.

Roderick S. Santiago, PLDT Network Head, said that Smart Communications and PLDT are working with local government and authorities to secure its network equipment, important for its delivery of the internet.

“We also encourage our customers to help us by reporting similar activities in their respective areas and barangays. Together, we can ensure that our communities can stay safe and connected,” adds Santiago.

Source: Manila Bulletin