3 nabbed for power pilferage in typhoon-hit Cebu
OPERATIVES of the National Bureau of Investigation – Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI-CEVRO) arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in power pilferage in typhoon-hit Talisay City, Cebu.
NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor identified the suspects as Maximo Baguio Mariot Jr., Doroteo Valmoria Auxtero Jr., and Bryan Burlaos Sacmar.
The arrest stemmed from the information given by the Visayan Electric Company (VECO), that the suspects allegedly took advantage of typhoon “Odette” to extort money from typhoon victims in exchange for supposed “priority electricity repairs.”
The NBI-CEVRO immediately conducted a surveillance operation to verify the information and was able to confirm that suspect Mariot was allegedly demanding money from subscribers of VECO in exchange for immediate restoration of electricity.
NBI operatives also found out that Mariot disregarded several protocols by merely connecting the electricity from any available source.
On January 25, the NBI-CEVRO proceeded to Talisay City, Cebu for an entrapment operation.
Mariot was arrested after receiving the entrapment money.
During the operation, the NBI operatives also arrested the suspects alleged accomplices.
The arrested suspects were charged for violation of Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/ Materials Pilferage Act of 1994).
