Theft of telecommunications equipment has disrupted mobile and data services across the Philippines, with Globe and its tower company partners recording 1,245 incidents as of September 2026.
Globe said the thefts have caused service outages nationwide, affecting connections used for work, education, business, emergency communications, and online services. Replacing stolen equipment also diverts resources from projects to expand coverage and improve network quality.
“This is no longer simply a matter of stolen equipment. When critical telecommunications infrastructure is damaged or taken, communities can lose connectivity and the investments being made to improve network services are undermined,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, general counsel of Globe. “We need stronger, coordinated action across government, law enforcement, local communities, and the telecommunications industry to address this problem.”
The company is asking the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to bring together telecommunications operators, tower companies, and government agencies to coordinate efforts against infrastructure theft. More incidents continue to be reported, Globe said.
It is seeking greater involvement from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units, and barangays to help prevent theft and enforce existing laws.
At the community level, Globe wants barangay officials and tanods to monitor vulnerable facilities, report suspicious activity, and check whether people working on telecommunications equipment are authorized crews.
These checks would help communities distinguish legitimate maintenance work from attempts to remove network equipment. Local officials are often the first people available to respond in areas where telecommunications facilities are located, the company said.
Globe wants authorities to address the illegal buying and selling of stolen cables, equipment, and other network materials. The company said this resale market helps make infrastructure theft profitable.
It pointed to the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-Fencing Law as legal measures for prosecuting theft and transactions involving stolen property. Globe is seeking stronger, more consistent enforcement to discourage repeat incidents and hold those responsible accountable.
Repeated theft affects spending on telecommunications networks, according to Globe. Money and equipment intended for wider coverage, better service, and stronger networks must instead go toward replacing stolen materials and restoring affected facilities.
The company said it continues to work with authorities and industry partners to secure network facilities and restore affected sites as quickly as possible.
Globe is pushing for a coordinated national response covering community monitoring, theft prevention, law enforcement, and action against the illegal resale of telecommunications equipment.