A man was caught on closed circuit television (CCTV) footage cutting the cables of 10 security cameras in Barangay Poblacion Oeste, Dagupan City.

In the CCTV footage, a police patrol car passes by the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Barangay Poblacion Oeste. 

Moments later, a man can be seen pulling a cable and climbing a wall. The man then cuts the cable connected to 10 CCTV cameras, causing some cables to dangle.

After a few minutes, a tricycle passes by. The man jumps onto the tricycle, and they drive away. 

The tricycle soon returns and stops at the cemetery entrance. A man emerges carrying an object and loads it onto the tricycle before it leaves with three passengers.

According to the barangay officials, the suspects deliberately cut the CCTV cables to avoid being recorded while stealing. However, some cameras remained operational and captured the incident.

"Alalamin natin kung ano yung nawala, kasi makikita talaga sa CCTV na may nilabas kaya lang wala pang nire-report sa barangay [at] sa police station. ‘Yun ang dapat nating tingnan kasi kung mapapansin natin, bakit nila alam kung ano yung wiring ng CCTV namin sa barangay," Mark Anthony Gutierrez, Chairman of Barangay Poblacion Oeste, said.

Authorities are now trying to identify the owner of the tricycle used in the theft.

CCTV cameras have been useful in monitoring incidents on the streets.

"Kapag may ninakaw na motor makikita rin nila kasi dati talaga marami yun dito; kaya kapag may nanakaw na gulong ng motor [o] gasolina ng motor, pinapareview namin sa barangay," Belen Fernandez, a resident, said.

"Kaya natin nilagyan ng CCTV sa barangay natin para at least kung may incidente or krimen na mangyari [ay] maaksyunan natin kaagad," Gutierrez added.