Recovered cable wires from the suspects. (QCPD PIO)
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested 14 individuals involved in large-scale theft of cable wires during a follow-up operation conducted by Cubao Police Station (PS 7) on Sunday, June 22.
The operation was launched after Barangay San Roque officials were informed by a concerned citizen around 3:40 a.m. on June 22 about a group of men loading cable wires into a truck at the corner of Mirasol Street and 20th Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City.
Authorities caught the suspects in the act of loading cable wires into a six-wheel aluminum van. When asked to present supporting documents, they failed to do so, leading to their arrest.
Police identified the suspects as alias “Alejandre,” 56; alias “Joshua,” 28; alias “Harimon,” 20 -- all residents of Brgy. Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Also arrested were alias “Carlo,” 36; alias “Jefferson,” 19; alias “Danilo,” 54; alias “Anderson,” 27; alias “John,” 27 -- all residents of Tondo, Manila.
Others included “Barmeo,” 32; alias “Jeffrey,” 21, from Bacoor, Cavite; alias “Ranie,” 39, from Las Piñas, City; and alias “Julius,” 29; alias “Louie,” 50; and alias “Ben,” 47 -- all residents of Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Recovered from the scene were 147 meters of PLDT cable wires valued at P2,461,759.00, along with a hacksaw, a metal chain, and a six-wheel Canter aluminum truck.
A background check via the Investigation Solution Automatic Verification (ISAV) system revealed that eight of the 14 suspects had previous criminal records, ranging from theft, robbery, and illegal gambling to firearms violations, drug-related charges, and violations of laws protecting women and children.
The suspects will face charges under Republic Act 10515, or the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.