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Wire thieves interrupt radio broadcast
John Pangelinan aka “DJ SUN” of KWAW Magic 100.3 in San Jose. (CHRYSTAL MARINO)
Local broadcasting was suddenly cut off yesterday at the KWAW Magic 100.3 station in San Jose after copper wire was stolen from the station’s transmitter site, leaving the station scrambling at the unexpected dead air.
The theft reportedly happened early yesterday afternoon around 2pm. John Pangelinan, also known as “DJ Sun,” was doing his routine afternoon show when he got word that local broadcasting had been interrupted.
“I thought it was going to be a chill day. …And just as I was here, we got cut and I was like, ‘What in the world?’ and my boss came and was like, ‘Oh, John, I’m just going to check out our systems if everything is OK.”
After hearing nothing but static over the air, KWAW’s Danilo Ganacias headed up to their radio transmitter site on Mt. Tapochau where he discovered the broken lock and cut wires.
It was learned the radio station immediately reported the matter to police, but there was no word from the Department of Public Safety yesterday about the incident.
As of yesterday afternoon, Magic 100.3 local radio was still not functioning, but online streaming is available. KWAW listeners can still tune in using the livestreaming link online through their browser: https://s3.radio.co/s8f738b862/listen or via the TuneIn App: http://tunein.com/radio/Magic-1003-s43718/
“We’re working on fixing/replacing cable wires to get back on air as soon as possible,” an email message from the station said.
Only two days before, the station had just resolved some transmission and static problems, Pangelinan said, and now this.
“It’s kind of a shame, ’cause I feel bad for the crew too. They did all the hard work and, just like that, it’s gone. …And all of our listeners too…I feel bad for the listeners…because for the past week, they’ve been asking us, ‘What’s wrong with the signal?’”
“[On] Saipan there’s a lot of cases like this, a lot of people are taking copper wire…for quick money and stuff,” Pangelinan said. “But I just hope it doesn’t happen anymore. …It’s just sad to see, especially on this island…”
