Thefts of copper and cable have become so common that the news and media barely notice them, which is frustrating and sad because many people are involved. From small-time thieves on the ground who dig up copper cables and pull out the wires to sell to dealers to more complex and well-organized trading structures.
Once the copper is taken out, it is sold to dealers and is often illegally sent to places like China, the largest copper importer in the world, because it uses it to build and make things. A million tonnes of copper are exported from China yearly.
Copper is expensive and easy to steal. The theft of 500ft of copper wiring from a New York subway station earned the burglars $1000 (₱60,000). Copper wiring is $3 (₱180) per pound. Copper cables are easy to find, carry, and sell. Thus thieves target substations for their worth. Copper theft is worth $1 billion nationwide.
Substation robbers steal copper ground wires. Lightning strikes and surges can cause extensive power outages at the substation without ground wires.
Cable and copper theft has become a global crime due to complacency in the media, communities, government, and municipal bodies. A considered individual petty crime before has grown into a wealthy worldwide organized crime business.
Cuts and damage to copper and fiber optic cables not only raise the cost of running and maintenance but also make it harder for regular people to do their daily tasks. Worst case? The risk is that innocent people would suffer from being electrocuted or burned in fires caused by exposed cables.
After Typhoon Odette hit in December 2021, about 30 people, including third-party contractors and Globe field technicians, were arrested. Thirty-eight people were picked up for the same reason. Eleven people thought to be involved in stealing cables are being searched.
With that being said, let’s run through some of the dangers of stealing cables. Continue reading to see how you may also file a report about cable theft.
Since the pandemic began to impact our lives, we have been searching for ways to carry on with our regular activities and fulfill our life obligations despite the infectious disease’s presence. Most of us found that going to school and working online remotely viable alternatives.
During the past several years, we have come to rely heavily on our internet connection to remain current with the rest of the world.
Television continues to dominate Philippine culture and entertainment, and some Filipinos rely solely on television for news and information.
Sky Cable Corp. of ABS-CBN has joined up with telco majors and tower operators to tackle cable cutting and theft that affects cable TV and internet services. They urged authorities to implement Republic Act (RA) 10515, the 2013 Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act, including its cable-cutting provisions. Cable TV and internet equipment removal are illegal.
Now, through Oplan Kontra Putol, Sky is fighting cable thieves with partners and authorities.
Communities harmed by cable theft regularly go without power for days or even weeks since our people are living in the dark as a direct result of this criminal activity.
In South Africa, three security guards were shot, and two died due to their injuries in April 2022 as cable thieves were reportedly armed with guns.
Cable thieves themselves are also in danger. As of the first half of 2022, five people had passed away due to electrocution while participating in illegal activity. Since 2014, there have been 133 deaths from electrocution due to this illegal activity.
On the evening of 26 April 2022, residents of Ashton and Zolani were severely affected by cable theft. Because of this, significant faults occurred in the electrical supply line, and as a result, households were without energy for several days.
Local ISPs want the public to help stop intentional cable cutting. Some ISPs include forms and email addresses for reporting incidents:
How to Report Cable Theft to Converge
How to Report Cable Theft to PLDT
How to Report Cable Theft to SKY Cable
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