Cable subscribers step up drive vs illegal connections

Disappointed by deteriorating cable signals, a number of legitimate subscribers have stepped up to support the campaign of cable companies against illegal CTAV connections.

Legal subscribers are now feeding information about incidents of cable TV signal and subscription theft, including the identity of individuals who offer to install illegal connections.

Acting from tips provided by subscribers who are tired of deteriorating cable signals and virtually paying for others’ illegal cable connections, personnel from the cable industry conducted last Aug. 23 another series of raids in five different spots in Makati City.

Residents with illegal connections were invited to police stations and barangay halls for interrogation in connection with possible qualified theft charges to be filed against them.

Qualified theft carries a jail term of six to 12 years if proven guilty.

The sweep was the third of a series of raids in different cities in Metro Manila.

Previously, a task force composed of barangay officials, police and representatives from cable TV companies dismantled illegal cable connections in Veraville and Angele Village in Las Piñas and in barangays Tejeros, Kasilawan and Olympia in Makati.

Almost 300 illegal cable taps were taken apart in a tenement in Makati City alone. The connections were found to be sourced from the main cable line spliced by cable pirates.

Philippine Cable Television Association vice chairman and former president Elpidio Paras repeated his warning that cable companies will file and pursue legal actions against individuals caught installing or utilizing illegal cable connections.