• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A 63-year-old Bacoleño was arrested on Wednesday by Negros Power personnel at Jesus Heights Subdivision in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, allegedly for stealing electricity.
The suspect, alias Ray, was caught in the act of illegally interchanging tapping wires, by employees of Negros Power who were conducting a random inspection of electrical posts and meters.
The act of electricity pilferage, or theft, is a violation of Republic Act 7832, also known as the Anti-Pilferage Law, which carries penalties including imprisonment and fines of up to PHP100,000.
The arrested suspect was endorsed to the Police Station 4 of Bacolod City Police Office, for further investigation.
Last month, a certain Jimmy was also arrested in Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City, while attempting to connect a wire directly to the power line without going through a meter, effectively bypassing his electricity bill.
In a statement, Negros Power said it will not hesitate to press charges against those engaged in electricity pilferage, as they urged consumers to report any such activities to the authorities.*
