Meralco ‘field man’ jailed for power pilferage in Laguna
A “FIELD MAN” of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) selling electric meter for P15,000 each and collecting a P1,000 flat rate from his buyers in Laguna in exchange for unlimited power consumption was arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in an entrapment operation last week.
The suspect identified only as alias “John” was caught in the act of selling and trading three Meralco electric meters without authority to an undercover officer in Calamba City, Laguna, said PNP-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III.
The official said members of the CIDG Regional Field Unit 4-A and Laguna Provincial Field Unit conducted the sting pursuant to the memorandum of understanding between the PNP and Meralco to investigate and prosecute persons behind the theft of electricity distribution facilities in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.
He said that the entrapment operation targeted the accused who was identified as one of the persons behind alleged electricity pilferage and theft of electric power transmission line and materials in Calamba City.
Torre said that they discovered that as a Meralco “field man,” the suspect connects the disconnected power lines of Meralco power consumers.
However, his job has opened an opportunity for him to cut deals. Allegedly, the accused will sell an electric meter to a client for P15,000 and then collect a P1,000 flat rate from the buyer.
Thus, the customers will no longer pay for the meter and their monthly Meralco bills.
The PNP-CIDG chief emphasized that Republic Act No. 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 and tampering of electrical infrastructure in the Philippines.
It is implemented in response to the growing concern over electricity pilferage, which negatively impacts the entire country’s power sector, he said.
The law also recognizes that pilferage leads to significant revenue losses for electric companies, increased electricity rates for lawful consumers, and damages to electric infrastructure, thereby threatening public safety, the official added.
The arrested suspect was charged before the National Prosecution Service with qualified theft and violation of Sec. 3 paragraph (a) sub paragraph (4) in relation to Sec. 4 paragraph (b) of RA 7832 for theft of electric power transmission lines and materials.
Following the arrest of the suspect, Meralco called on the public to be wary of persons offering to sell them electric meters that will provide them unlimited power supply without paying to the company in exchange for a monthly flat rate which they will collect.
Information regarding the matter can be relayed to the Meralco Hotline 16211.
