Globe Telecom Inc. has strengthened its partnership with local government units and law enforcement authorities in areas with the highest incidence of cable theft to protect customers and ensure undisrupted internet connectivity.
This allowed the Ayala-led telco on Wednesday to report a significant decline in cable theft cases from 1,876 recorded from January to May 2022 to only 746 in the same period this year or a 60 percent drop.
Globe has been working closely with local authorities in these areas of concern, with the following cases logged according to Globe data: Cebu City, with 498 cases; Quezon City, with 171 cases (Project 8 with 103, Novaliches with 68); Manila, which recorded 161 incidents; Mandaue City, Cebu, with 118; Valenzuela City, with 73; Malabon, with 67; Pasig City, with 64; and Liloan and Consolacion, Cebu, each with 62 cases.
“Cable theft is a criminal act punishable by law. We work together with authorities and communities to combat this illegal activity to ensure undisrupted service,” Raymond Policarpio, vice president of Globe At Home broadband business said.
“With consistently available connectivity, we will be able to support our customers in education, work and livelihood, and provide critical communication services in case of disasters and other emergencies,” he added.
As part of its proactive approach to addressing cable theft, Patrick Gloria, vice president for External Affairs of Globe, said the company collaborates with partner local government units and local law enforcement agencies to bring a holistic solution to this problem.
“We look forward to stronger cooperation with our partners to bring cable theft numbers further down,” he added.
Other than cable theft, Globe also logs other incidents of stolen assets across facilities. In the first six months this year, Globe reported 1,545 incidents, including the theft of batteries, fuel and other electronics and facility hardware. Due to these incidents, Globe sustained 207 outages as of May 2023 in 124 sites across the country.
Globe has been intensifying its campaign against cable theft through its Bantay Kable Program, together with the PNP and LGUs, the past several years.
In August 2022, Globe joined an industry-wide initiative dubbed “Oplan Kontra Putol” to inform the public about illegal cable cutting together with other cable and telecom providers in the country. The group calls upon law enforcement agencies to implement Republic Act No. 10515, also known as the Cable Theft Act, which has criminalized intentional cable cutting.
To further discourage unscrupulous persons from targeting copper wires, the company is replacing copper wires with fiber optic cables that ensure access to fast and reliable internet. Unlike copper, fiber optic cables have no resale value and are not accepted in junk shops.
