ANTIPOLO CITY — A man who went viral after being mistaken for a cable thief clarified that he was only trying to fix a dangling electrical wire along Sumulong Highway in Barangay Mambugan. 

The incident, which was caught on video and uploaded by a netizen named “Kris,” quickly spread across social media, sparking accusations that the man was attempting to steal power lines.

In the footage, the man approached the hanging cable near a mall parking lot and tried to handle it. Moments later, the wire suddenly sparked, forcing him to step back. Viewers online immediately speculated that he was tampering with the cable to steal it, but authorities later confirmed otherwise.

The Antipolo City Component Police Station (Antipolo CCPS) identified the man as “Hans,” a volunteer employee of Barangay Mambugan’s waste management collection services. Hans personally went to the police station with barangay officials to explain his side. 

He said he noticed the loose cable and attempted to secure it using pliers and electrical tape to prevent accidents. “The electrical cable sparked, creating the impression that he intended to steal the wires,” police clarified in their report.

Authorities stressed that Hans was not detained and that barangay officials verified his employment status. The police have since coordinated with Barangay Mambugan and Meralco to properly repair the damaged cables to ensure public safety.

The incident highlights how quickly viral videos can lead to misinterpretations. While vigilance remains important, officials reminded the public to avoid jumping to conclusions without full context. Hans’s clarification and the support of barangay authorities helped clear his name, turning what initially looked like a crime into a reminder of the risks of misinformation online.

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