MANILA, Philippines, July 28, 2010 – Four suspects of phone cable theft were apprehended recently by vigilant barangay officials and PLDT Asset Protection personnel in two separate incidents in Bulacan.

The suspects — Jojo B. Pacardo, 21, Jayson M. Javier, 21, Luis A. Boracay, 37, and Arnel Flores, 27 — could face years in jail if proven guilty of the crime of theft. For the two incidents, 48 meters of copper cables were cut and stolen.

PLDT Bulacan Customer Service Zone Head Fernando C. Marzan said this development is good news to residents and businesses in Bulacan where telephone service disruptions have caused millions of pesos in lost productivity and revenues.

“This aggressive drive of PLDT with the help of barangay officials and police authorities sends a strong message to those who are minded to steal telephone cables. Our alarm systems and partnerships with barangay officials and police authorities will help us catch and apprehend anyone who tries to steal our cables,” said Marzan.

Outside of Metro Manila, Bulacan has the most number of reported cable thefts.

In the first incident, the Security Response Force (SRF) of PLDT’s Luzon Asset Protection Team, in close coordination with officials of Barangay Dakila in Bulacan, was informed by a concerned citizen about a cut cable at the boundary of Barangays Dakila and Sumapang Bata in Malolos City. Thus, together with barangay tanods, the SRF held a stakeout which led them to apprehend Pacardo, Javier and Boracay with 30 meters of cut telephone cables. These suspects are now detained at the PNP Malolos City, Bulacan.

In the second incident, PLDT’s cable alarm system in Baliuag went off, prompting the security guard on duty to call for help. The Luzon APD SRF immediately responded and coordinated with the officials of Barangay Makinabang. They spotted three men dragging cut cables but managed to catch only one suspect, Flores, and recover 18 meters of cut telephone cables. The other two suspects with Flores were identified only with aliases “Atan” and “Toneng.” Flores is now detained at the Baliuag, Bulacan, PNP Station.

Just like in other areas nationwide, PLDT has requested the help of local communities in Bulacan to help in its drive against telephone cable pilferage.

“The cooperation that we are getting from the barangays is truly a big help,” said Danilo P. Carrasco, PLDT Head of Luzon Asset Protection Division. His team helped in the apprehension of the suspects.

“We are talking here not just of PLDT and its cable facilities. We are talking here more importantly of continuity of telephone service which is the big concern of Bulaqueños because it makes their lives better and more convenient, as well as help them earn their living.”