Six men posing as Maynilad employees were arrested by the Makati City Police for stealing 200 meters of underground telecommunications (telco) cables equivalent to about two tons, Makati City Police OIC Col. Reycon Garduque said Thursday, Oct. 9.

Garduque said the men were caught in the act by concerned citizens stealing the cables along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay Olympia, prompting them to report the incident to the police.

One of the suspects who was underground refused to emerge from the manhole, thus, forcing the officers to go down the manhole to arrest him.

Further investigation revealed that the six were notorious for posing as Maynilad employees to commit the crime, saying that they usually dress up in complete Maynilad uniforms and are using Maynilad signages to make it appear as if they were conducting a legitimate water service operation.

"Dalawa sa kanila ang pumapasok sa manhole, habang dalawa naman ang hihila sa taas habang naka-standby naman sa sasakyan ang driver para mabilis silang makaalis kung nakuha na ang mga kable. Gumagamit sila ng bolt cutter para maputol ang mga kable (Two of them enter the manhole, while two others pull them and the wires upwards. A driver stands by in the vehicle so they can quickly leave once the cables are retrieved. They use bolt cutters to cut the cables)," Garduque explained, adding that the suspects usually conduct their illegal activities from night till dawn when the streets are less busy.

“Kailangan sisitahin mo talaga para malaman kung legitimate o hindi (You really have to check if what they are doing is legitimate or not)," the official stressed.

Aside from the stolen cables, the police also recovered two improvised manhole hooks, two baton light devices, two bolt cutters, a sledgehammer, a hammer, concrete chisels, concrete rod, and other devices and paraphernalia bearing the logo of the water concessionaire.

The police explained that they learned of the group's modus operandi a few days ago after they were caught on video by concerned citizens.

The suspects said they were selling the stolen cables for P450 to P500, but the value increases if the thick rubber housing of the cables have already been stripped.

The six were detained at the Makati City Police Custodial Facility and are facing theft and violation of Section 4d of Republic Act 10515, otherwise known as the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013 charges.

“Let this serve as a stern warning to those who continue to steal from our public utilities and disrupt essential services—your actions will not go unnoticed. We are intensifying our intelligence operations and community coordination to put an end to these illegal activities. The Makati Police will ensure that perpetrators face the full force of the law. We also extend our gratitude to the vigilant members of the community whose immediate reporting of suspicious activity led to this successful operation. Our shared commitment to public safety and order is what makes our community stronger," Garduque stressed.