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Saturday, April 07, 2007
Firm vows hostile drive v. power theft
MANILA -- As two more electricity thieves were convicted, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) continues to carry out inroads against electricity pilferage.
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Meralco vice president for corporate communication Elpi Cuna said: "We are trying very hard to bring down cases of power pilferage that contribute to system losses. Through such efforts, we are hoping that we would somehow be able to help further lower our customers' electricity bills. This initiative is also part of Meralco's campaign to ensure the safety of residents affected by the dangers of illegal connections."
Judge Cesar Solis of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 of Manila and Judge Lydia Querubin Layosa of RTC Branch 217 of Quezon City found Renato Lansangan and Johny Cantona guilty of violation of Section 2 of
Republic Act (RA) 7832, also known as the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Law of 1994.
RA 7832 prohibits the stealing of electricity and materials used in its transmission and distribution.
Lansangan was earlier apprehended during an entrapment operation conducted by Meralco personnel, with the assistance of the police.
He was arrested for tampering the meter of retired Police Major Antonio Cruz for a fee while Cantona, on the other hand, was arrested by officials of Barangay West Kamias for tapping illegal connection to Meralco's lines.
In another operation, Meralco personnel apprehended seven power thieves
in Pasig City for violation of the same law.
The suspects were caught illegally tapping from Meralco's electric lines serving Cattleya Condominium at 141 R. Cruz Street in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, and supplying the same to approximately 200
families of informal settlers along Bolante 1 in the barangay.
Two of the suspects, Reydante Peñano and Melvin Katigbak, were caught
performing such illicit activity during a special operation conducted by Meralco personnel, Cuna said.
The five other suspects were reported to have assisted in preparing the illegal wires that were being tapped by Peñano and Katigbak. They were
identified as Maximiano de Castro, Serapio Masamol, Austropel Amante, Danny Bidong and Peter Patano.
The arrested power pilferers were detained at the Pasig City Police Station after a formal complaint was filed with the Pasig City Prosecutors Office. (MSN/Sunnex)(April 7, 2007 issue)
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