2 cops get award for arrest of cable wires thieves

CEBU, Philippines - Two policemen from the Cebu City Police Office are among this year’s awardees of Globe Telecom for their efforts in arresting cable wire thieves.

Receiving the award are SPO2 Emmanuel Sarmiento and PO1 Lloyd Magdadaro. Sarmiento received P5,000 while Magdadaro received P8,000.

Globe gave the award money to CCPO, which was turned over to the policemen by no less than City Police Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador.

Comendador said the amount received by the two policemen was based on their participation in the operation and the length of the cable wires stolen.

Sarmiento made the arrest in January while Magdadaro arrested suspects last March.

Comendador said cable wire thieves are a dilemma for Globe last year, which prompted the company to seek help from CCPO. Stolen cables have interrupted internet and telephone connections.

The bronze wire of the cable reportedly cost about P300 per kilo.

Comendador could not confirm whether or not cable wire thieves are members of a syndicate, but said some of them reportedly use vehicles for their illegal operation.

Aside from the two policemen, Globe also awarded some barangay tanods in Cebu City.

Although a completely separate incident, Sarmiento himself was a victim of robbery last year when members of the Roy Quimada robbery group braged into his store in Victoria Village, Talisay City and carted away the proceeds, including his .9mm service firearm.

The suspects, Felixberto Mata, 56, and Aljun Sanchez, 29, both from Mindanao were later arrested when they sold shabu to elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Management during a buy-bust operation.   (FREEMAN NEWS)