Globe Telecom said it has fully restored mobile and broadband services in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon after a major network disruption caused by multiple fiber optic cable cuts on May 12.
The outage affected customers in Metro Manila and Rizal, causing intermittent mobile calls, text messaging, and internet connectivity issues. Globe said normal services resumed by 10:30 p.m. after emergency repair work by its technical teams.
According to Globe, initial findings showed that underground fiber optic cables in Paco, Manila were accidentally damaged during drainage excavation works being carried out by a subcontractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The damage affected several critical core fiber lines used for service delivery.
Joel Agustin, Globe’s senior vice president for Service Planning and Engineering, said the disruption could have been avoided with better coordination before excavation activities began. He added that the incident highlights the need for stricter communication and compliance protocols among contractors working near telecommunications infrastructure.
Globe is now investigating other reported fiber cuts in multiple areas to determine whether the incidents were isolated or connected. The company said it is coordinating with contractors and government agencies to establish accountability and prevent similar disruptions in the future.
As part of its response, Globe plans to strengthen coordination with the DPWH, local government units, and contractors to improve protection of underground telecom infrastructure and enhance emergency response procedures.
This development is significant because it highlights how vulnerable telecommunications networks are to infrastructure damage caused by construction and excavation projects. The incident also underscores the importance of reliable mobile and internet services, especially in highly populated urban areas where businesses, public services, and daily communication depend heavily on stable connectivity.
