Ordinance vs. tapping of cable TV signal sought
ROXAS CITY – An ordinance against the tapping of cable television lines is being proposed by Board Member Baden Cantiller, chairman of the committee on transportation, communication and public utilities.
The proposed ordinance is in response to the complaint of Fil-Vision Alto Cable through its Manager Diosdado Ty about the rampant pilferage of cable TV connection which results to millions of pesos in loses on their part.
Ty disclosed during the public hearing last Friday that their fiber optic cables were destroyed at Brgy. Milibili, Roxas City, Sapian, Sigma and in other areas reached by their service.
Under the proposed ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any persons to commit the following act, to wit: a) shall intercept or receive, or assist in intercepting or receiving, through tapping, any services offered over a cable television system or making or causing to be made any connections to existing and duly authorized cable television facilities, without the authority or consent of the latter;
b) shall knowingly use or receive direct or indirect any benefit from cable television services delivered through the employment of any methods mentioned in the next preceding paragraph, without express authority from the duly authorized cable television company or its duly authorized agents and representatives.
Any person who commits any prohibited acts shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year and not less than six months or a fine of not less than P1,000 nor more than P5,000 or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.
In case of insolvency, the offender shall suffer subsidiary imprisonment to be computed in accordance or association, the president, manager, managing partner or any officer at the corporation or partnership who directly participated in the violation of this ordinance shall be held liable therefor.