To protect customers and ensure undisrupted internet connectivity, Globe has boosted its collaboration with local government units and law enforcement authorities in areas with the highest incidence of cable theft.
This is in line with efforts to continue to clamp down on such crime, which have already led to a significant decline in cases, from 1,876 recorded from January to May 2022 to 746 cases in the same period this year– a 60 percent drop, a Globe press release said Wednesday, October 4.
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. 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,” said Raymond Policarpio, Vice President of Globe At Home Broadband Business.
“As part of its proactive approach to addressing cable theft, Globe continuously collaborates with our partner local government units and local law enforcement agencies so that together, we can bring a holistic solution to this problem. We look forward to stronger cooperation with our partners to bring cable theft numbers further down,” said Patrick Gloria, Vice President for External Affairs.
Other than cable theft, Globe also continues to log other incidents of stolen assets in various facilities. In the first half of the year, Globe recorded 1,545 incidents, including the theft of batteries, fuel and other electronics and facility hardware. Due to these incidents, Globe recorded 207 outages as of May 2023 in 124 sites.
Globe has been intensifying its campaign against cable theft through its Bantay Kable Program, together with the PNP and LGUs, over 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 has been replacing copper wires with Fiber which ensures access to fast and reliable internet. Unlike copper, fiber optic cables have no resale value and are not accepted in junk shops.
The public may report cable theft incidents to the Globe Security Hotline: 0917 6888545 (nationwide), 0906 3244626 (Visayas) and 09177915794 (Mindanao), and the PNP hotline 911, which is accessible through both landline and mobile.*PR