3 Charged for Tampering with Power Meters in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal cases have been filed against three men allegedly caught tampering with electric meters in General Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite. Charges for violating Republic Act 7832, the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act, were filed against the suspects who were arrested in Barangay Kabulusan over the weekend. Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said the arrest was based on a complaint filed by power distributor Meralco that the suspects were convincing residents to have their power meters recalibrated to reduce their monthly electricity bill. One of the suspects is an electrician who handled the tampering. The other served as a negotiator and the third as the driver of the group, Morico said. The suspects reportedly charged P15,000 for every power meter they calibrated. The arresting team seized from the suspects a resistor device and other tools. Morico warned the public that unauthorized alterations to power meters can result in short circuits as well as trigger fires. He urged residents to report illegal tapping of power lines and unauthorized use of submeters.