Suspected power thief electrocuted

MANILA, Philippines – A suspected power thief died after he was electrocuted and subsequently fell from an electric post Wednesday night in Tondo, Manila.

Manuel Cajayon, 40, jobless, of 221 Mabuhay street, Tondo, failed to make it alive at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital where he was rushed by concerned residents. Aside from third degree burns, the victim also sustained laceration and swelling in the head as a result of the fall.

Investigation conducted by PO2 Lester Evangelista showed that at around 11:45 p.m. two youngsters heard a loud bang from an electric post at the corner of Boungaville and Mabuhay streets in Tondo. At the same time, they saw somebody fell from the post into the roof of one of the houses which subsequently rolled down into the pavement below. When the youngsters checked, they saw the victim writhing in pain.

Evangelista theorized that the victim may be tapping power on the electric post but accidentally touched a live wire that resulted to his fall.

Residents in the area are reportedly tapping power on electric posts at night to escape detection by authorities, Evangelista said.