By CESAR JOLITO III

Authorities uncovered what appears to be an organized cable theft and illegal burning operation after seizing over P2.2 million worth of stolen underground internet and cable wires, and arresting 11 suspects at Barangay Concepcion in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City on Monday, July 14.

The Bacolod Maritime Police Station, led by Police Captain Reynaldo Bauden Jr., launched the operation after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen who had reported suspicious smoke coming from a sugarcane field.

“We have accidentally discovered it,” Bauden said, describing how officers found the suspects actively burning copper wires in a vacant lot when they arrived at the scene the following day.

Initial investigation revealed that the wires had been stolen from Bacolod City’s Barangay Villamonte and other parts of Negros Occidental.

Bauden noted that most of the suspects are local residents and are believed to be part of a group funded by an unidentified financier.

The suspects were allegedly tasked with burning the stolen cables to extract and resell the copper.

The telecommunications firm filed charges of qualified theft against the suspects yesterday.

Maritime police also plan to file separate complaints for violating Republic Act 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 due to the harmful burning activity.

Authorities are now looking into the possible involvement of other individuals behind the financing and fencing of the stolen materials, as investigations continue./CJ, WDJ