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Saturday, August 26, 2006
Motoring group's help sought v. cable theft
By Ben O. Tesiorna
TELECOM giants like the Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Smart Communications, Bayantel, and Globe Telecom have sought the help of a motoring group in their fight against cable wire theft.
But Claro Landeta, PLDT Vis-Min asset protection division team leader, requested that the identity of the motoring group be kept secret.
The group will be closely coordinating with police authorities in patrolling areas identified as hotspots for cable pilferage.
The city lost an estimated P12 million in economic earning due to cable theft. The loss was due to hampered communication among hospitals and banks affected when cable thieves destroyed the wires.
Just this month of August, an estimated P1.8 million in the city's economy was lost due to seven cable theft incidents in a span of two weeks.
The seven incidents of cable theft were reported from August 12 to 23, with four incidents happening in Toril.
A total of 125 meters of cable wires were stolen from the latest pilferages while hundred meters more were damaged after they were cut by the pilferers but not successfully stolen.
No suspects were identified and arrested as of Friday. The last reported incident of cable pilferage in the city was June 7 wherein some suspects were arrested.
Telecommunication companies earlier forged a memorandum of agreement with the police and the City Government of Davao to stop rising cable thefts in Davao City.
Among the areas affected by cable pilferages are Talomo, Buhangin, Lanang, Catalunan Grande, Matina, and Mintal.
The biggest damage was on May 22 when robbers destroyed a PLDT fiber optic cable at the Bankerohan Bridge by sawing off the thick steel pipe covering.
Davao City Police Office Director Catalino Cuy said it is possible that a syndicate of thieves is behind the incidents.
Thieves responsible for the PLDT cable damage appeared well equipped with tools that could penetrate the thick steel pipe covering of the fiber optic cables.
(August 26, 2006 issue)
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