A joint operation by foot patrol officers and local peacekeepers thwarted a cable stripping scheme early Thursday morning in Parañaque City, leading to the arrest of four adult men and the rescue of three minors.
Personnel from the Parañaque City Police Station and Barangay BF Homes peacekeepers intercepted the group around 6:45 AM along Dr. Arcadio Santos Avenue.
Authorities became suspicious after observing seven individuals cutting, hauling, and loading heavy cables into a closed van parked near a beer pub without standard safety gear, uniforms, or corporate identification.
Upon questioning, none of the individuals could produce authorization documents.
Cops subsequently verified with the affected telecommunications company, which confirmed the group was not authorized to handle or extract the lines.
Police arrested four adult suspects aged 20, 25, 30, and 49. In compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, three teenagers—two aged 16 and one aged 17—were taken into protective custody.
Authorities recovered approximately three meters of cable wire valued at ₱10,000, alongside the closed van and an array of tools, including a bolt cutter, a hacksaw, two curved metal rods, and a 72-inch digging bar.
The recovered vehicle and equipment have been secured for forensic examination.
The adult suspects remain in custody and face charges for Theft under Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code, as well as violations of Republic Act No. 10515 (Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013).
The three minors will be turned over to the Parañaque City Social Welfare and Development Office for proper intervention and case management.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Officer-in-Charge PBGEN Christopher N. Abrahano praised the proactive efforts of the field officers and local barangay watchmen.
“Cable theft is not a minor offense because it can disrupt communication services and affect entire communities,” Abrahano stated, emphasizing that the police force will sustain visible patrols to safeguard Metro Manila’s critical utility infrastructure.
