Barangay in Manila loses internet due to youths stealing cables from utility pole

A number of residents of a barangay in Manila have been left without internet connectivity after some of the youth in the area stole cables from a utility pole, which then fell into the street.

According to Barangay 410 Kagawad Froilan Dela Cruz, a utility pole—servicing local telecommunications firms—fell due to some of the youth in the area stealing cables. Some of the cables have been left lying on the street.

Prior to the incident, the barangay apprehended some six of the youth in the area, four of whom were minors and were since released. They were said to have been cutting the cables and selling them.

“May kabataan na nagnakaw po ng kable tapos nang pinutol po nila, lumawit, tapos habang dumadaan ‘yung mga sasakyan, unti-unti nahihila, nahihila” Dela Cruz said in a report by Katrina Son on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

“Isa po kami dun sa walang internet hanggang ngayon. Meron po akong nagtatrabahong anak, work from home,” he added.

(There were some youths stealing the cable and when they cut the cables, they dangled. These were then pulled down further by passing cars.

We are among those still without internet. I have a child working from home.)

GMA Integrated News is still trying to reach out to the concerned telecommunication firm.

For its part, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) warned motorists to take caution in areas with hanging cables, even as it clarified that its poles are usually higher and thicker.

“Palagian naming sinasabi na dun sa mga drivers ng mga malalaking sasakyan na ito, maging ito ay truck or any other huge vehicles plying the roads, na mag-iingat po,” Meralco vice president and head of corporate communication Joe Zaldarriaga said.

(We always tell the drivers of big vehicles, may they be a truck or any other huge vehicles plying the roads, to take caution.) — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News