Twelve meters long of telecom wires worth P60,000 were seized from a man in Malate, Manila on Tuesday noon, Jan. 23.
Manila police identified the suspect as Christopher De Leon, 39, a resident of Balingkit Street, Malate, and a member of the "Bahala na Gang."
Police said they were conducting police patrol along P. Ocampo corner Adriatico Streets around 11:30 a.m. when they spotted the suspect breaking long cable wires using a steel saw and a plier.
Authorities were able to apprehend the suspect. They said the stolen cable wires were owned by PLDT Inc.
The suspect was brought to Malate police station and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10515 or the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.
The Manila Police District continues to warn the public against cable theft.
Some telecom companies have been replacing copper wires with fiber optic cables, which have no resale value and are not accepted in junk shops
The public is encouraged to immediately report cable theft incidents to authorities.