In an effort to minimize downtime caused by cable thieves and vandals, PLDT has coordinated with the Philippine National Police, barangay authorities, and communities to patrol criminal hotspots. This has resulted in the arrest of 2,487 theft suspects over the last three years, including almost 1,000 arrests in 2024.
"Not a lot of people know this, but at PLDT, we spend a lot of man hours to secure our network," says Butch Jimenez, Chief Operating Officer and Network Head at PLDT. "This is a big win for our security team—and we extend our gratitude to the PNP, and to our partners in the barangays and communities who have helped us catch these suspects.
"PLDT's focused priority is to continually improve our customer service. It's that simple. If we improve that, everything else follows. This helps us get closer to that goal," Jimenez adds.
Network equipment theft and vandalism are among the top causes of internet downtime in the country, with copper cables, power cables and batteries among the most stolen network items.
"We at PLDT remain vigilant. We're still implementing stronger physical security controls, surveillance measures, and rapid response strategies to make sure our customers stay connected. I'm proud of our teamwork, preparedness, and proactive security mindset—but we intend to do even better this year," said Wilfredo F. Gonio, Head of Security Central Command and Administration Center at PLDT.
To report incidents, citizens can call PLDT's Hotline 164 from any landline or mobile phone, regardless of network. When reporting cable breakage or other issues, provide a brief incident description, date and time of discovery, exact location (barangay, town/city, province), and your name and contact details. Landmarks or photos of the site are helpful.
PLDT and its wireless arm Smart continue to strengthen security measures to safeguard their network against threats. Among their initiatives is PROTECTA Pilipinas, a public-private alliance launched alongside the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and other key stakeholders. They are also working with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to prevent accidental damage to fiber optic cables during roadworks.
These efforts are part of the PLDT Group’s broader mission to enhance customer experience, support the country’s digitalization goals, and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG 9) on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure—bringing the benefits of reliable connectivity to more Filipinos nationwide.
