Bacolod top cop warns ‘cable robbers’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – “Tama na (Enough).”

This was the warning of Police Colonel Noel Aliño, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to persons who are stealing cable wires here.

“Kung dati nakakalusot kayo, huwag sa time ko. It’s time na itigil na iyan. Huwag dito sa Bacolod,” Aliño stressed.

Aliño presented to the media in a press briefing Wednesday a 29-year-old man, who was arrested in Barangay Pahanocoy on May 6, after he was caught in the act stealing cable wires of a telecommunications firm worth P35,613.

In a media interview, the suspect said that he was tasked to collect the stolen wires, while his three other companions were the ones who cut the wires.

He said they can sell the stolen wires for P250 to P380 per kilo, depending on the quality.

He apologized for the trouble he had caused, particularly the disruption of internet signal in affected areas.

“Gapangayo lang ko pasensya. May nag engganyo lang sa akon tungod man sa kapigaduhon,” he said.

The suspect was previously arrested for illegal drug use, but he said the case was dismissed.

His apprehension happened two days after Aliño met with local officials on May 4 to discuss the intensified campaign of the city against the stealing of cable wires that greatly affect businesses and the people here.

“Malaking bagay ang sinabi ng nahuli,” Aliño said, adding that these persons or group of persons could be part of an organized group or syndicated group, considering that some of them were reported to have been wearing telco uniforms and have vehicles when operating.

“Matagal na po palang problema iyan. Malaking problema pala dahil lahat naaapektuhan lalo na mga businesses and students. Kahit konting line lang maputol, abala na sa lahat,” Aliño said.

Aliño noted that telecommunications firms should also monitor and intensify their security on cable wires. “After filing ng case, what’s next? Dapat imonitor din nila,” he said.

“Aalamin natin. Anong root cause? Anong motive or purpose? Saan ibinebenta? Sino bumibili? Sino nag-uutos? Iyan ba ay dahil gusto nila kumita?,” Aliño asked.

Aliño said that he will meet with junk shop owners to encourage them to help the police get rid of cable robbers.

“It’s time to stop na. Pagsinabing stop, stop na. Hanggang kailan tayo magsusuffer niyan?,” he asked.

Aliño said that he will also tap barangay watchmen to aid the police in monitoring areas to prevent such incidents.

“Iactivate natin sila. Ngayon dadami na kami kasi iilan lang naman ang mga police,” he added.

Earlier, the city government here proposed to the BCPO to create a task force that will work with the local government to intensify the campaign against cable robbers.

The local government stressed that there is a need to strategize to stop the rampant stealing of cable wires in the city.

The BCPO has already formed Oplan Bantay Kable to focus on tracking individuals who may have the intention to commit such violations.

Meanwhile, a 39-year-old resident of Cauayan, Negros Occidental was arrested after he was caught in the act of stealing cable wires of a telecommunications firm beside a convenience store in Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City last Wednesday.

His four companions, who are residents of Bacolod, escaped.