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Grounding cable stolen from Navotas pumping station. Photos from Nicolas Torre III﻿/Facebook

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Palace vows sanctions vs thieves stealing parts of crucial water pumps

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Malacañang on Monday vowed to go after those who stole parts of pumping stations across the Philippines as monsoon rains triggered floods in different provinces, underscoring that the theft has endangered the lives of other Filipinos.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/30/dizon-inspects-flood-control-facilities-warns-against-theft-of-pumping-station-equipment-1623" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dizon inspects flood-control facilities, warns against theft of pumping station equipment</a></div>The Palace’s statement comes after reports that the Navotas pumping station malfunctioned at the height of flooding woes in the capital region after 8 to 10 meters of grounding cable were stolen from the facility.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/17/grounding-cable-stolen-from-navotas-pumping-station-1416" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Grounding cable stolen from Navotas pumping station</a></div>“Gagastos tayo ulit para sa mga replacement na ito. Paano kung walang makuha agad na replacement? Hindi agad maiaayos ang mga ito na magdudulot na naman ng mabagal na paghupa ng baha,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a recorded message.“Ang ginagawa ng Pangulo para sa kontrabaha ay para sa ating lahat. Huwag tayo maging makasarili. Buhay, kalusugan at ari-arian ang maaapektuhan dahil sa mga pagnanakaw na ito,” she said.“Huwag ninyong isabotahe ang mga proyekto ng Pangulo… at sa lahat ng mga gumagawa ng pananabotahe na ito, kayo po ay hahabulin ng batas,” she said.Castro did not give further details about operations to trace and arrest those liable for the incident, but underscored that penalties await those responsible.The MMDA earlier said it is coordinating with the authorities to locate the culprit, and that security and monitoring procedures around its facilities are being tightened.As of mid-August, a suspect has already been identified and is currently being pursued, according to the Navotas Police.Castro also defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against criticisms of the Chief Executive’s alleged lack of action and visibility as monsoon rains battered parts of the Philippines anew over the weekend.“Nakita po natin na buong linggo na nagtrabaho ang Pangulo para asikasuhin ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan,” she said, noting that Marcos has already inspected parts of Bulacan and Pampanga that were drenched in floods.“Pinuntahan ang ating mga kababayang naapektuhan, nagsagawa ng situation briefing kasama ang mga liderato ng Bulacan at Pampanga at ipinagkaloob ang financial assistance na tulong sa mga nasabing rehiyon at bayan,” she said.Over the weekend, Cabinet secretaries have also been updating the President about developments on various fronts, including damaged infrastructure, the release of various assistance packages, as well as “short-term and long-term solutions” to flooding woes in Central Luzon, she said.“Sa mga ganitong klaseng sitwasyon, hindi kailangang utusan pa ng Pangulo ang mga nasabing miyembro ng Gabinete dahil alam nila kung ano ang nais ng Pangulo,” Castro said.“Mabilis na aksyon. Walang holiday-holiday sa Pangulo,” she said, noting that Marcos is set to convene various agencies and local government officials in a meeting to address the flooding problem in several provinces.The Philippines’ vulnerability to severe weather disturbances was seen in August after multiple typhoons and the southwest monsoon triggered heavy rains that submerged communities across the country for days, if not weeks.Among the incidents that the Marcos administration had to address this month were a collapsed bridge in Tarlac, garbage-clogged drainage, and faulty flood control projects.

The Malacañang on Monday vowed to go after those who stole parts of pumping stations across the Philippines.

The Malacañang on Monday vowed to go after those who stole parts of pumping stations across the Philippines.