Meralco workers file raps vs gun-toting barangay exec

MANILA, Philippines - Crewmen of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) have filed criminal charges against a Manila barangay chairman after he allegedly threatened them at gunpoint while they were confiscating a transformer illegally connected to a barangay hall.

Meralco investigator and case representative George Carreon filed on behalf of the crewmen a case against Barangay 239 Zone 22 District 2 chairman Darwin Baluyot Sia for violation of Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Electric Pilferage Act of 1994.

Sia is also facing charges of grave threat and coercion before the Manila city prosecutor, as well as grave misconduct and abuse of authority, obstruction of justice, grave threats, disobedience and violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban before the Ombudsman.

In their affidavit, Meralco personnel led by foreman Rogelio Benoza said they were conducting clearing operations of illegal service connections at the corner of Bambang and Rivera streets in Tondo last June 8 when they spotted illegal wires tapped directly from the barangay hall to a nearby Meralco transformer riser.

When the Meralco men disconnected the illegal connection, Sia allegedly came out of the barangay hall with a gun tucked in his waistband and confronted them. He threatened the crew, shouting that he is the barangay chairman and they could not cut the wires.

Throwing further expletives at Benoza, Sia then pointed the gun at them. Policemen escorting the crewmen intervened and pacified Sia, who later fled when police officers were about to arrest him.