PLDT, Makati police foil attempted cable heist along Kalayaan Avenue

By TechWatch PH

A joint operation between PLDT Inc. and the Makati City Police thwarted an attempted cable theft along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay Olympia, leading to the arrest of six suspects posing as water utility workers.

The group, dressed in contractor uniforms and equipped with professional tools, had set up fake signage to disguise their operation. Authorities caught one of the suspects inside a manhole as they tried to extract nearly two tons of underground PLDT copper cables.

Recovered from the scene were bolt cutters, metal saws, warning devices, and approximately 96 meters—or about 2,000 kilograms—of cut copper cables. The suspects were immediately taken to the Makati Police Station for inquest proceedings, with assistance from PLDT’s Greater Metro Manila (GMM) South Asset Protection Division.

“This incident underscores the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in protecting critical infrastructure,” said Willie S. Antalan, Head of PLDT’s Asset Protection Division for Greater Metro Manila South. “We remain steadfast in our mission to ensure uninterrupted service and community safety through sustained vigilance and partnership.”

PLDT said the operation forms part of its proactive measures to safeguard network infrastructure nationwide through continued coordination with local government units, law enforcement, and industry partners.

Through its network protection and community security initiatives, PLDT aims to help create safer, more resilient communities where digital inclusion can thrive—anchored on trust, accountability, and shared responsibility. These efforts are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).