National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief P/Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin commended the swift coordination between security personnel and responding police officers, which resulted in the prompt arrest of four adult male suspects and the recovery of stolen telecommunications equipment.
The incident occurred at around 4:20 a.m. on Friday, 24 April, in front of a gasoline station along Doña Soledad Avenue corner West Service Road, Barangay Don Bosco.
While conducting routine area monitoring, arresting officers intercepted the suspects in the act of illegally cutting and taking underground copper telecommunications cables.
Initial reports showed that security personnel in the area immediately alerted authorities upon noticing the suspicious activity, prompting a coordinated swift police response that resulted in the on-site arrest of four individuals. However, nine of their cohorts managed to flee and are currently the subject of follow-up operations.
Recovered from the scene were several pieces of cut underground copper cable wires measuring approximately two meters in length, with an estimated amount of P262,006.63.
Seized were tools and equipment used in the illegal activity, including a bolt cutter, an improvised steel hook, a white closed van and a motorcycle believed to have been used in the operation.
The suspects are now under police custody and are facing charges for violation of Section 4(d) of Republic Act 10515, also known as the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.
The case has been referred for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Parañaque City.