Thieves Caught Red-Handed Stealing Makati CCTV Cables

Picture courtesy of Manila Bulletin

In a recent operation, Makati City Police successfully arrested three notorious thieves attempting to steal fiber-optic cables from CCTV cameras at the Guadalupe overpass. This security boost was confirmed by Makati Police Officer-in-Charge, Col. Reycon Garduque, on June 27.

The suspects, known by the aliases Vincent, John, and Darwina, had previously targeted the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cameras. They returned to the scene to continue their criminal activity but failed to spot patrolling officers nearby.

Caught in the act of cutting the new cables, all three were promptly arrested. Identified as scavengers, the suspects later led officers to a junk shop where they had sold stolen cables before. Fortunately, police recovered a bundle of these cables, which will serve as critical evidence in their case.

Col. Garduque confirmed that the trio will face charges of theft.

This incident follows a statement from MMDA Chief Information Officer, Sharon Gentalian, who disclosed on June 20 that cables essential to the No-Contact Apprehension Policy's (NCAP) CCTV system had been stolen for profit. These cables were crucial for connecting the cameras to the MMDA command center.

"During a test last week, our team noticed an unusual humming sound from one CCTV unit. This led to a scheduled troubleshooting on June 24, during which the theft was discovered," explained Gentalian.

The arrest highlights a significant win for local law enforcement, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains secure for public safety.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-06-27