NATIONAL NEWS

Sanib-pwersa ang Globe at ang Philippine cable at telecommunications providers sa “Oplan Kontra Putol” na kumokondena sa talamak na pagnanakaw ng kable na nagiging sanhi ng network disruptions at pinagkakaitan ang mga customer nang maayos at tuloy-tuloy na connectivity.

Sinasabing layon ng industry-wide initiative na mabigyan ng impormasyon ang publiko hinggil sa illegal cable-cutting at ang perwisyong idinudulot nito sa mga pamilya at komunidad. Kinasasangkutan ito ng consumer education, deployment ng efficient security and patrolling systems, at close cooperation sa local authorities at government units.

“Together with our customers, we have been victimized by perpetrators who steal and sell the copper wires for profit, or recklessly cut and damage our cable wires without regard to the disruption it causes to our internet and cable service. This illegal act robs our customers of the steady internet and cable TV service they need for entertainment and access to information, and disrupts connectivity required for work,” pahayag ng Oplan Kontra Putol Consortium sa isang statement.

Nabatid na ang joint manifesto ay nilagdaan ng Globe, Metroworks ICT Construction Inc., Radius Telecoms, Inc., PLDT, Inc./Smart Communications, Inc., Streamtech Systems Technologies, Inc., Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association, Inc., at SKY Cable Corporation.

Kasabay nito, nanawagan ang grupo sa law enforcement agencies na ipatupad ang Republic Act 10515 o mas kilala bilang Cable Theft Act na nag-criminalize sa intentional cable cutting.

Ipinanawagan din nito sa mga barangay at local government units (LGUs) na himukin ang kanilang mga constituent na agad i-report ang mga pinaghihinalaan at aktwal na insidente ng intentional cable cutting sa kani-kanilang local officials, local police, at service providers.

“We condemn all illegal acts of intentional cable cutting and are confident that with everyone’s support and concerted efforts, we can and we will curb and prevent illegal cable-cutting to continue giving the best service our valued customers deserve,” ayon sa pahayag ng grupo.

Ilang taon na nakikipagdigma ang Globe sa pagnanakaw ng kable sa pamamagitan ng Bantay Kable program nito at pinaigting pa ang kampanya sa harap ng patuloy na pagdami ng mga insidente kung saan sa Visayas pa lamang ay mayroon nang 785 kaso hanggang July 2022.

Napag-alaman din na sa first half ng taon, may kabuuang 281 indibidwal at third-party contractors ang kinasuhan ng theft, qualified theft, robbery, paglabag sa anti-fencing law, malicious mischief, at paglabag sa Omnibus Election Code at Republic Act 10515 o ang Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.

“Through Bantay Kable, and now with Oplan Kontra Putol, we hope to help protect our country’s telecom infrastructure from these lawless elements. We also want to continuously build and expand our network to provide Filipinos equitable access to connectivity without dealing with the additional burden of running after criminals,” wika ni Ronald Uychutin, Globe Vice President for Safety and Security.

Bukod pa rito, wala ring humpay na pinalalawak at pinagbubuti ng telco ang network nito at naglaan ng P89 billion ngayong taon para sa capital expenditures nito, kasama ang accelerated fiber strategy para mapaghusay ang customer internet experience.

Sa istratehiyang ito ng tuloy-tuloy na paglipat ng mga customer mula sa copper patungong fiber optics, na sinamahan ng mas malakas na security measures, umaasa ang kompanya na unti-unti nang mababawasan ang mga insidente ng pagnanakaw ng kable sa bansa.

Kumpiyansa rin si Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer ng Globe Group, na ang nagpapatuloy na kampanya ay magbubunga ng magandang resulta.

“We are working closely with LGUs to address issues that hamper the continuity of our services and our commitment to provide a #1stWorldNetwork nationwide. With the help of all stakeholders, we are hopeful that we can curb and ultimately stop these malicious deeds from happening,” dagdag ni Crisanto.

Samantala, bilang bahagi ng pinagsama-samang pagpupunyagi ng Globe, ng mga awtoridad at ng iba pang service providers na tuldukan ang pagnanakaw ng kable, iniaalok ng telco ang 0906-3244626 Security Hotline at bantaykable@globe.com.ph email address nito bilang channels para i-report ang mga nasabing insidente.