Paranaque Police Arrest 10 in Underground Cable Theft
Authorities from Paranaque City Police apprehended 10 men caught cutting underground cables belonging to a telecommunications provider. This act violated Republic Act No. 10515, known as the Anti-Cable Theft Law. The arrest took place early morning around 3:30 a.m. in front of the TCL Authorized Service Center along France Street, Barangay Don Bosco, Paranaque City.
The suspects, all residents of Tondo, Manila, were identified as Jayson, 33; Cris, 32; Roger, 32; John, 29; Calixto, 26; Mark, 23; John, 22; Marlo, 21; Jiric, 21; and Rogelio, 19. Meanwhile, two other individuals managed to evade capture during the operation.
Police Intercept Suspects During Routine Patrol
The Paranaque City Police Don Bosco Substation officers were on routine patrol when they noticed a suspicious closed van parked near the service center. Upon approaching, they discovered a group of men actively cutting underground cable wires. The suspects attempted to flee but were stopped with the help of Barangay Don Bosco officials.
Further coordination with the telecommunications company confirmed that no authorized repair or maintenance was scheduled in the area. This information led to the immediate arrest of the suspects for illegal cable cutting.
Equipment and Evidence Seized
Authorities recovered a substantial amount of stolen materials and tools from the suspects. These include 600 pairs of cut underground copper cables measuring about 106 meters each, one piece of a cut 900-pair cable, a claw bar, five steel saws, and an improvised steel hook used to open manholes. They also seized a vehicle key and the closed van registered as a delivery courier in Quezon City.
Local officials emphasized that this crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts to curb cable theft, which disrupts vital communication services and causes significant losses to providers and consumers alike.
For more news and updates on cable theft incidents, visit Filipinokami.com.