Philippine cable and telecommunications providers just launched “Oplan Kontra Putol” condemning rampant cable theft that causes network disruptions and deprives customers of seamless connectivity.

The industry-wide initiative seeks to inform the public about illegal cable-cutting and the disruption it brings to families and communities.

It involves consumer education, deployment of efficient security and patrolling systems, and close cooperation with local authorities and government units.

“Together with our customers, we have been victimized by perpetrators who steal and sell copper wires for profit, or recklessly cut and damage our cable wires without regard to the disruption it causes to our internet and cable service," according to the Oplan Kontra Putol Consortium statement issued Thursday, August 25.

"This illegal act robs our customers of the steady internet and cable TV service they need for entertainment and access to information, and disrupts connectivity required for work.”

The joint manifesto was signed by Globe Telecom Inc., Metroworks ICT Construction Inc., Radius Telecoms, Inc., PLDT, Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc., Streamtech Systems Technologies, Inc., Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association, Inc., and SKY Cable Corporation.

The group calls upon law enforcement agencies to implement Republic Act 10515, otherwise known as the Cable Theft Act, which has criminalized intentional cable cutting.

It also taps barangays and local government units (LGUs) to encourage their constituents to immediately report suspected and actual incidents of intentional cable cutting to their respective local officials, local police, and service providers.

“We condemn all illegal acts of intentional cable cutting and are confident that with everyone's support and concerted efforts, we can and we will curb and prevent illegal cable-cutting to continue giving the best service our valued customers deserve,” the statement read.

For its part, Globe has been fighting cable pilferage for several years now through its Bantay Kable program, ramping up the campaign as incidents continued to rise, with Visayas alone having 785 cases as of July 2022.

In the first half of the year, a total of 281 individuals and third-party contractors linked to these criminal offenses were charged with theft, qualified theft, robbery, violation of the anti-fencing law, malicious mischief, and violation of the Omnibus Election Code and Republic Act 10515 or the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.

“Through Bantay Kable, and now with Oplan Kontra Putol, we hope to help protect our country’s telecom infrastructure from these lawless elements," says Ronald Uychutin, Globe Vice President for Safety and Security.

"We also want to continuously build and expand our network to provide Filipinos equitable access to connectivity without dealing with the additional burden of running after criminals,” he noted.