ABS-CBN steps up fight against cable cutting

MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN’s Sky Cable Corp. is stepping up its fight against illegal cable cutting activities, which are becoming a major headache for the company.

SkyCable said there has been a growing number of intentional cable-cutting incidents, resulting in disruptions in internet access and cable services.

These incidents have affected thousands of Filipino households nationwide.

SkyCable, which offers cable TV and fiber internet services in different parts of the country, condemns the acts of intentional cable cutting by unscrupulous individuals seeking to profit from the illegal activity.

According to the company, intentional cable cuts occur when perpetrators snip off hard-to-reach fiber optic cables and sell the stolen copper wires inside for profit.

To combat these activities, SkyCable has launched a campaign dubbed as “Oplan Kontra Putol.”

SkyCable chief operating officer Claudia Suarez said the company is actively working with various pay TV, telcos, and internet service providers for a concerted effort to curb the rampant illegal cable cutting activities.

“’Oplan Kontra Putol demonstrates our commitment to provide a reliable and uninterrupted internet connection and cable services to our SKY Kapamilyas,” Suarez said.

“Rest assured that we are working closely with local government units and authorities day in and day out to prevent these incidents from happening,” she said.

SkyCable head of network operations RJ Licup said the company is collaborating with local authorities in monitoring the streets and barangays for such illegal activities.

He said the company is also being more proactive in taking legal actions to put a stop to these criminal acts.

Intentional cable cutting is punishable by law with imprisonment of two to five years or hefty fines imposed at the discretion of the court, under Republic Act 10515 or the Cable Theft Law.

SkyCable is appealing to the public to help in its campaign of stopping intentional cable cuts by reporting incidents to the company for immediate action.

“Intentional cable cutting is a disservice to the Filipinos, especially during this time when people rely heavily upon fast, secure, and reliable internet and cable access to go about their daily lives,” Licup said.