Globe Telecom Inc. on Monday reported a sharp rise in battery theft at its network facilities in the first six months this year.
The Ayala-led telco said 834 batteries were lost to thieves in the January to June period, around 2.4 times higher than only 352 cases recorded in 2022.
Breaking down the figures regionally, Mindanao booked the highest number of incidents with 424, followed by the Visayas with 363 and the Greater Manila Area with 47.
The batteries are crucial as backup power during area-specific commercial power outages, particularly in times of disaster. Without them, affected localities become vulnerable to telco service interruptions.
Over the past two months alone, Globe reported two incidents of battery theft in Metro Manila that occurred in broad daylight: one in Malabon on 23 September and another in Tondo on 20 October.
“Battery theft, especially those brazenly carried out during the day, are a stark reminder of the challenges we face,” Mike Honig, Globe, head of network field maintenance for GMA, said.
“While we’re dedicated to ensuring 24/7 reliability, the increasing incidence of battery theft undermine our ability to maintain uninterrupted service, especially during power outages,” he added.
While Globe is working with local authorities, it urges local government units (LGUs) to conduct random inspections in their areas since communities also benefit from securing the equipment of telecom providers.
Likewise, Globe warned the public that buying stolen property is subject to legal action. Those caught colluding in the purchase and sale of such property also face legal consequences.
