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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider An illegal story of resiliency amid calamity: CIDG arrests 2 'cable thieves' in Quezon City

An illegal story of resiliency amid calamity: CIDG arrests 2 'cable thieves' in Quezon City

Published Jul 26, 2025 10:58 am
photo: CIDG
photo: CIDG
These two friends showed their neighbors in Quezon City that no amount of heavy rains and no strong floodwater would prevent them from working hard just to earn money and survive the harsh reality of life.
It’s really an inspiring lesson of dedication and resiliency in this time of calamity. The only problem was that the hard work they were engaged in was illegal since it involved stealing cables owned by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT).
On Friday, July 24, at the height of heavy rains, operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested the suspects, identified only as “Ramil” and “Rose”, while in possession of two sacks of copper wires.
The wires weigh approximately 30 kilograms and are supposed to be sold for P15,000 in a junk shop.
CIDG director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz said the operation stemmed from the complaint of the PLDT about the rampant cable theft in Barangay Culiat and adjacent barangays in Quezon City. 
In the case of the two arrested suspects, Macapaz said they would burn the television and internet cables they would steal until what’s left were the copper wires.
“Cable theft disrupts essential services and poses serious risks to public safety, especially when exposed cables or damaged lines pose danger to both utility workers and the general public,” said Macapz.
“We significantly prevented these risks to the public and we apprehended the violators of the law,” he added.
Macapaz said the two arrested suspects now face a case of violation of Article 308 (Theft) of the Revised Penal Code; and Republic Act 10515, or the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.
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