CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City police chief Eddie Recamara will meet with all junk shop owners in the city next week in connection with the rampant theft of water meters and electric and telephone wires.
Recamara said discussing the problem with the junk shop owners could stop the theft, believing that “kung way mopalit, way mangawat.”
The police chief admitted that the past weeks, water meters owned by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and wires from Visayan Electric Co. and from telephone companies have been reported stolen.
He said the trend could continue if not addressed immediately. He said he will remind junk shop owners about the Anti-Fencing Law.
The city council has an existing law which prohibits anyone, especially junk shop operators, from buying stolen water meters.
This local law was approved three years ago when stealing of water meters was reported almost everyday.
According to authorities, a water meter can be sold for at least P300.
While electric and telephone wires have valuable metals that can be sold per kilo. (FREEMAN)