• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A resident of Bacolod City was arrested by personnel of Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) allegedly for stealing electricity at Jesus Heights Subdivision in Barangay Estefania on Wednesday (June 4).
The suspect, alias “Ray”, 63, was caught in the act illegally interchanging tapping wires during a random inspection of electrical posts and meters.
Such 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 P100,000.
The suspect was endorsed to Police Station 4 of Bacolod City Police Office for further investigation.
Last month, a certain “Jimmy” was also arrested in Barangay 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 who engaged in electricity pilferage as they urged consumers to report such activities to authorities. | GB
