MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Globe is calling for stronger government and community action against the theft and pilferage of telecommunications equipment after the company and its tower company partners recorded 1,245 cases as of September 2026.
According to Globe, the incidents have resulted in service outages in different parts of the country, affecting telecommunications infrastructure used to provide mobile and data services. The company said further incidents continue to be reported.
Theft affects network services and infrastructure
Globe said damage or theft at telecommunications sites can disrupt mobile and data connectivity for customers who rely on these services for work, education, business, emergency communications, and access to digital services.
The company also said repeated incidents can affect investments intended for network expansion, service improvements, and infrastructure resilience.
“This is no longer simply a matter of stolen equipment. When critical telecommunications infrastructure is damaged or taken, communities can lose connectivity and the investments being made to improve network services are undermined,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel of Globe.
Castelo called for stronger coordination between government agencies, law enforcement, local communities, and the telecommunications industry to address the problem.
Globe calls for coordinated government response
Globe is urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to help coordinate telecommunications operators, tower companies, and relevant government agencies.
The company is also seeking greater participation from:
- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Local government units (LGUs)
- Barangay officials and community representatives
Globe said closer coordination at the local level could help identify vulnerable telecommunications facilities, report suspicious activity, and verify whether individuals working on network equipment are authorized personnel.
Focus also placed on stolen equipment resale
Beyond preventing theft itself, Globe is calling for greater attention to the illegal buying and selling of stolen cables, telecommunications equipment, and other network materials.
The company said the resale market contributes to the profitability of infrastructure theft and should therefore be addressed alongside prevention and enforcement efforts.
Globe also pointed to existing legal provisions, including the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-Fencing Law, as avenues for prosecuting theft and transactions involving stolen property.
The company said stronger and more consistent enforcement, supported by coordination between government agencies, LGUs, communities, and industry participants, could help deter repeat incidents.
Equipment theft adds pressure to network investments
Globe said telecommunications companies continue to invest in infrastructure to expand and improve services nationwide. When network equipment is repeatedly stolen or damaged, however, resources intended for expansion and upgrades may instead have to be used to replace equipment and restore affected sites.
The company said it continues to work with authorities and industry partners to secure network facilities and restore affected sites.
With more than 1,000 reported pilferage cases recorded as of September, Globe is pushing for a coordinated response covering prevention, community vigilance, law enforcement, and efforts to address the illegal resale of stolen telecommunications equipment.
