10 men caught on CCTV stealing telco cables in Caloocan; 3 identified

Police have identified three of the 10 men caught on CCTV allegedly stealing telecommunication cable wires from a manhole in Caloocan City, authorities said.

In James Agustin's "24 Oras" report, security footage showed several men with their faces covered using shirts approaching a manhole along A. Mabini Street in Barangay 15 at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The group removed the manhole cover before quickly pulling several meters of telecommunication cable wires and dragging them into a nearby alley.

Some passing motorists were briefly forced to stop as the suspects hauled another cable across the road after a closed van passed by the area.

Officials of Barangay 15 declined to comment on the incident, but the village chief said the suspects were not residents of the barangay.

The incident was reported to Substation 3 of the Caloocan City Police, which immediately launched a follow-up operation.

Police said three of the suspects have already been identified and are believed to be residents of nearby barangays.

“Hinihintay na lang po natin yung representative from telecommunication company para ma-file-an sila ng kaukulang reklamo po,” said Police Lieutenant Jomar De Belen, commander of Sub Station 3.

Authorities added that the latest incident was already the fourth reported cable theft case in the area since March.

Some suspects were allegedly caught in the act in previous incidents, leading to arrests, while investigators continue to determine the identities of the other men captured on CCTV footage. —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA News