Slow internet in PH on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, linked to submarine cable outage

Internet users in parts of the Philippines experienced slow or intermittent connectivity on Friday following the reported outage of submarine cable segments connecting the country to Singapore and Hong Kong.

Telecommunications companies issued advisories warning subscribers that the cable disruptions could affect internet speeds and overall connectivity.

Pampanga Digital Evolution Company, Inc. (PADECO), Converge, and the UP Diliman Network Help Desk all issued advisories that the submarine cable segment between the Philippines and Singapore was down.

They also reported that the segment connecting the Philippines and Hong Kong was likewise affected.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it is now investigating what caused the submarine cable disruptions.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said authorities are still determining the cause.

“They’re still determining the cause.”

Aguda said possible sabotage is among the scenarios being investigated, but stressed that it is too early to draw conclusions.

“Isa yun, syempre. Kasama yun. Pero it’s too early to say. For all you know, it’s… Either a fiber cut through natural causes or as I said, baka may equipment failure.”

Despite the disruption, Aguda said internet connectivity has not been completely lost and telecommunications companies are working to address the reduced capacity.

He said PLDT had assured him that it has sufficient capacity to cover the loss.

“Yung capacity na nawala is around 300 gig which they claim naman is they have more than enough provision to cover the loss of capacity.”

Some schools and institutions have already issued notices about possible connectivity problems.

However, Aguda said there are currently no reports of critical infrastructure being significantly affected by the submarine cable outages.

The DICT continues to monitor the situation while telecommunications providers work to restore the affected cable segments and maintain internet services. —NB, GMA News