By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Three individuals were arrested for alleged electricity pilferage in Cavite, the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said on Wednesday.
In a statement, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said the suspects were caught while installing a resistor device into an electric meter owned by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), purposely to manipulate its recording mechanism and reduce electricity consumption – a blatant violation of the law in Barangay Kabulusan, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite on July 24.
Morico said the operation stemmed from a complaint from Meralco that the suspects were offering “electric meter tampering services with device” for a PHP15,000 package deal.
The suspects allegedly claimed that they could calibrate the meter according to the consumer’s desired monthly electric bill.
Morico emphasized that Republic Act 7832, also known as the “Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994,” was enacted to curb the rampant theft of electricity, electricity materials, electricity pilferage, and tampering of electrical infrastructure in the country.
The law recognizes that pilferage leads to significant revenue losses for electric companies, increased electricity rates for lawful consumers, and damage to electric infrastructure, threatening public safety.
Beyond the strict legal consequences, altering meter circuitry causes severe electrical overloading and short circuits that frequently trigger catastrophic house fires, fatal electrocutions, or localized grid explosions. (PNA)
