Telecommunications company PLDT Inc. reported a decline in cable theft and vandalism incidents in the first half of 2025, which it attributed to stronger infrastructure protection and community-based deterrence programs.
Data from the company showed a 43% drop in reported incidents and a 36% decrease in arrested suspects compared to the same period in 2024. PLDT said these results reflected the effectiveness of its measures to prevent theft before it occurs, helping reduce losses and maintain service reliability.
“Infrastructure protection is central to our role in sustaining national connectivity and ensuring the reliability of our service,” said Butch Jimenez, chief operating officer of PLDT. “As we accelerate efforts to build the Philippines’ digital future, fortifying our infrastructure ensures that we can consistently deliver reliable service and support inclusive growth.”
The company said it has been increasing its protection measures nationwide, working closely with the police, barangays, local governments, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and industry partners under the National Telecommunications Security Council (NTSC) and Protecta Pilipinas. It has also taken steps to stop the online resale of stolen telecommunications equipment.
“We are not just stopping theft, we also strive to deter it before it begins,” said Col. Wilfredo Gonio, head of Security Central Command and Administration Center at PLDT. “Our people on the ground know that every incident stopped means fewer service disruptions, fewer complaints, and more uninterrupted hours for families, schools, and businesses.”
PLDT has started rolling out barangay-based partnerships in Makati, Dagupan, and Davao as pilot areas. Through these initiatives, local officials and residents help report, monitor, and prevent cable theft, vandalism, and other threats to telecommunications infrastructure.
“By strengthening collaboration with communities and law enforcement and embedding resilience into our operations, we are helping shape a more secure and dependable digital environment for our customers,” said Leo Gonzales, vice president and head of Property, Facilities, and Asset Resiliency Management at PLDT and Smart.