Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT) has reported a marked decline in cable theft and vandalism-related incidents in the first half of 2025, reflecting the impact of the company’s enhanced infrastructure protection and community-based deterrence efforts.
Comparing the first six months of 2024 and 2025, PLDT recorded a 43% drop in incidents and a 36% decrease in apprehended suspects, underscoring the effectiveness of the Group’s strengthened security measures, which include efforts to deter theft before it occurs. These results mark a critical milestone in the Group’s mission to curb losses, maintain service reliability, and uphold public trust.
“Infrastructure protection is central to our role in sustaining national connectivity and ensuring the reliability of our service. As we accelerate efforts to build the Philippines’ digital future, fortifying our infrastructure ensures that we can consistently deliver reliable service and support inclusive growth,” said Butch G. Jimenez, PLDT Chief Operating Officer.
“These results validate our integrated approach to infrastructure protection. By strengthening collaboration with communities and law enforcement and embedding resilience into our operations, we are helping shape a more secure and dependable digital environment for our customers,” said Leo A. Gonzales, Vice President and Head of Property, Facilities, and Asset Resiliency Management at PLDT and Smart.
The Group has been ramping up its initiatives to protect telco infrastructure across the country, which include tighter coordination with the police, barangays and local governments, agencies like the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and industry partners under the National Telecommunications Security Council (NTSC) and Protecta Pilipinas. PLDT has also increased its enforcement efforts against the online resale of stolen telco components.
“We are not just stopping theft, we also strive to deter it before it begins,” said Col. Wilfredo F. Gonio, Head of Security Central Command and Administration Center at PLDT. “Our people on the ground know that every incident stopped means fewer service disruptions, fewer complaints, and more uninterrupted hours for families, schools, and businesses.”
To this end, PLDT has also begun the rollout of barangay-based partnerships across the country, starting in Makati, Dagupan, and Davao as pilot sites for grassroots engagement where PLDT works directly with local officials and residents to report, monitor, and prevent cable and telco equipment theft, vandalism and other threats.
Beyond infrastructure protection, the initiative complements the PLDT Group’s broader efforts to drive inclusive progress through technology. The Group’s continued investments in connectivity, digital services, and innovation help improve the quality of life of Filipinos by enabling more meaningful interactions, greater access to information, and enhanced digital participation across the country.
PLDT’s network enhancement initiatives also support the capacity and reliability of essential services such as education, healthcare, public safety, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and remote areas. By expanding both physical network coverage and digital education efforts, PLDT and Smart are contributing to building stronger, more resilient communities from the ground up, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
