129 Streetlights Stolen in Iloilo, Caught on CCTV
Three individuals were caught on CCTV footage stealing 129 solar streetlights along a national highway in Iloilo.
The incident happened in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, where the Department of Public Works and Highways-installed solar streetlights were gradually disappearing along the road. The theft has caused parts of the highway to become dark at night, raising safety concerns among residents and motorists.
Based on CCTV footage, two of the suspects were seen climbing the solar streetlights and removing the units one by one. A third person stayed nearby, acting as a lookout to make sure no one would catch them during the operation.
After removing the streetlights, the suspects placed the stolen items inside sacks before leaving the area.
Local barangay officials from Barangay Bolong Oeste and Cabugao Sur said they only discovered the problem last week when they noticed that several streetlights were missing. They also observed that parts of the highway were becoming darker due to the continuous loss of lighting equipment.
Each solar streetlight is estimated to be worth around P34,000, making the total loss significant. According to Barangay Bolong Oeste officials, the number of stolen units has already reached 129, which is a major blow to public infrastructure in the area.
Residents expressed concern over the incident, especially since the lack of streetlights makes the highway more dangerous at night. Many drivers also worry about accidents due to poor visibility in affected areas.
Authorities have already launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the suspects behind the theft. Police are also coordinating with local officials to track down those responsible and recover the stolen streetlights.
Officials are reminding the public to report any suspicious activities in their communities to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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