Sky joins other telcos in fight vs cable theft

MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN’s Sky Cable Corp. has joined forces with telco giants and tower operators to strengthen the fight against cable cutting and theft that affect cable TV and internet services.

Cable and telco providers yesterday signed a joint manifesto uniting their efforts against illegal cable line cutting and theft amid growing incidence, particularly in Metro Manila.

They said perpetrators steal and sell the copper wires found in cable lines for profit.

The signees warned that access to cable TV and internet are affected when cable lines are cut. As such, customers in need of information, including students in remote learning and employees working from home, bear the consequences.

They called on authorities to enforce Republic Act (RA) 10515 or the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013, especially its provisions against cable cutting. The law lists the removal of cable TV and internet facilities and accessories as a punishable act.

Under RA 10515, individuals proven guilty of the crime must be sanctioned with imprisonment of up to five years or fined as much as P100,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Likewise, the law requires that the president, manager, managing partner or officer must be held liable in cases wherein the offender is a corporation or association.

“RA 10515 criminalizes intentional cable cutting. The perpetrators, when found guilty, will serve jail time or pay a fine. We seek your support and cooperation implementing the Cable Theft Act,” the joint manifesto read.

Also, the firms asked local government units and the police to work together in running after cable cutting and theft. They also asked customers to report suspected and actual incidents in their respective barangays.

As of August, Sky Cable has reported 205 cases of illegal cable cutting and theft in Metro Manila.

The joint manifesto was signed by Sky Cable, PLDT Inc., Globe Telecom Inc., Metroworks ICT Construction Inc., Radius Telecoms Inc., Streamtech Systems Technologies Inc., as well as the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association Inc.