Man caught stealing electricity convicted

The Manila Regional Trial Court convicted a person caught reconnecting electric service lines disconnected by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) in violation of Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Law.

Judge Artemio Tipon found Rudy Cecilio of Tondo, Manila, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegally tapping Meralco lines and sentenced him to six years imprisonment and a P10,000 fine.

Court records show that in response to reports of rampant illegal connections near Ilaya street corner Claro Recto M. Avenue in Tondo, Meralco dispatched a team from its Inspection Office accompanied by police operatives from Camp Crame.

Their surveillance resulted in the arrest of Cecilio, who was caught reconnecting the wires earlier disconnected by the electric company. The accused tried to escape but was collared before he could get away.

Confiscated from him were wires and other paraphernalia used in tapping Meralco lines.

Another case of violation of RA 7832 resulted in the arrest of Porfirio Samarista, of 8080-F Honradez St., Barangay Olympia, Makati City, who was caught illegally tapping electricity from a Meralco line by a joint team of police operatives led by P02 Renato de Guzman and Meralco inspection personnel.

Investigation showed that Meralco received reports that Samarista had regularly been tapping a Meralco line. The suspect would connect his wires everyday at 2 p.m. then remove the illegal connections in the morning to avoid detection.

It was also learned that the suspect owes Meralco more than P17,000 for a previous violation.

Criminal charges have been filed against the suspect who is presently detained at the Makati City jail. Aside from stiff penalties, Samarista faces imprisonment as provided for under RA 7832.