13 barangays victimized by 'wire thieves'

CEBU, Philippines - A telecommunication company has identified 13 barangays in Cebu City that have been victimized by the so-called “wire thieves.”

These barangays include Carreta, Guadalupe, Kalunasan, Bulacao, Calamba, Kamagayan, Labangon, Mabolo, Sambag I, Sambag II, Tejero, Tisa and Zapatera.

Bong Lintag, head of customer service of the Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications (PLDT), said stealing the wires have destroyed power lines and incurred PLDT big losses. He said that last year alone, the total cost of stolen wires has reached P5 million.

The company urged the City Council to support and/or reinforce the Anti-Fencing Law to prevent the rampant stealing of electric wires and telecommunication cables.

Association of Barangay Councils President Michael Ralota said he will pass an ordinance that would prohibit the buying and selling of wires from junkshops and to impose stiffer penalties on violators of the law. He said there is a big possibility that the stolen wires and cables would land on junkshops.

Ralota said the move would most likely generate resistance from junkshop owners who, he said, should also do their part in policing their own ranks. —(FREEMAN)