Globe Telecom revealed battery thefts at its network facilities have more than doubled and are putting backup supply at risk in times of natural disasters.
The Philippines operator detailed there had been 834 batteries lost to thieves in the first half of 2023, a “sharp rise” from the 352 cases recorded in the whole of 2022.
The island of Mindanao booked the highest amount of thefts with 424, followed by Visayas with 363 and the Greater Manila Area with 47. Some thefts occurred during broad daylight, noted Globe.
Batteries are crucial during power outages particularly when natural disasters strike. Globe is working with local authorities to conduct random inspections in their locations.
"Battery theft, especially those brazenly carried out during the day, are a stark reminder of the challenges we face. While we're dedicated to ensuring 24/7 reliability, the increasing incidents of battery theft undermine our ability to maintain uninterrupted service, especially during power outages,” said Mike Honig, Globe Head of Network Field Maintenance for GMA.
