Warrant out vs two for illegal connection

CEBU, Philippines - Anytime now, two persons can be arrested for allegedly stealing electricity.

This is after Judge Slyva Paderangga of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16 issued a warrant of arrest against Josephine Gonzales and Alejo Patalinghug, both of barangay Suba, Cebu City.

Patalinghug, owner of an apartment along M. dela Concepcion St., barangay Suba, Cebu City and Gonzales, an occupant of the apartment, are facing charges for violation of Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines.

Paderanga said the unexplained flight of the accused “represent a strong suggestion of their guilt.” The two accused reportedly fled without presenting proof to defend in the case.

“The flight of an accused in the absence of a credible explanation would be a circumstance from which an inference of guilt may be established,” she said.

Last March 15, 2011 Paderanga recommended the arrest of the two accused, who face a maximum sentence of six years imprisonment and one day and minimum of four years and a fine of P20,000.

Paderanga likewise ordered Patalinghug to pay P127,966.24 and Gonzales, P4,649.55, to the Visayan Electric Co. Inc. (VECO).

Patalinghug and his tenants Josephine and Arnold Gonzales, Cesaria Gallego, Noel Garsota, Ruel Montede, Amy Ferrer and Edsel Torres were caught illegally tapping from the VECO secondary line on November 23, 2004.

Personnel from VECO together with SPO2 Arthur Quindal and PO2 Romwin Matulac of Cebu City Police Office conducted an inspection in the apartment of Patalinghug.

The VECO then conducted a voltmeter test on the wire that revealed the line was live and was connected to the dwellings of the accused.

Meanwhile, the case against Gallego and Garsota was dismissed after they signed compromise agreements with VECO to settle their billings. (FREEMAN)