NTC, operators to finalize guidelines versus cable theft

MANILA, Philippines -  State-run National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is set to finalize the implementing rules and regulations of the anti-cable television and cable Internet tapping law next month to boost the government’s campaign against cable pilferage.

NTC commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said the agency would conduct a public hearing on the proposed guidelines of Republic Act 10515 otherwise known as the “Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013” on June 4.

 â€œAll affected and interested parties are hereby requested to submit their comments and position papers within 15 days from the publication of the notice of public hearing,” Cordoba said.

The NTC is tasked to undertake an information dissemination campaign to inform the public of the new law and to finalize the guidelines together with major players in the industry including cable TV operators and cable Internet service providers.

President Aquino signed the law last April 17 to protect the cable television and cable Internet industries from cable pilferage.

The law prohibits cable television and Internet tapping and penalizes offenders with imprisonment of two to five years or a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 or both, at the discretion of the court.

Likewise the president, manager, managing partner or any officer of the corporation or partnership who directly participated in the violation of the law would be held liable if the offender is a corporation or association.

The law prohibits illegal tapping of any signal offered over cable TV or cable Internet system and the malicious destruction or removal of existing cable TV or cable Internet facilities.

It also prohibits recording, reproducing, distributing, importing or selling of any intercepted or received cable TV system or network signals for commercial purposes without the authority of the concerned cable TV operator or cable internet service provider.