THE Philippine National Police (PNP) steps up efforts to bolster the conviction rate of those involved in electricity theft and pilferage of electricity distribution materials.
Territorial and other police units have been conducting aggressive operations against electricity theft. But PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the entire process does not end with the arrest of those involved in the illegal activity.
As he did with focus crimes, Nartatez wants to ensure that all those arrested are charged with strong cases, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), to ensure conviction.
“The certainty of arrest and punishment is also a strong crime prevention measure because it sends a strong message that the rule of law always prevails. This is what we in the PNP are also focusing on matters about theft and pilferage of electricity,” said Nartatez.
Earlier, officials of the PNP and a major electric company signed an agreement to strengthen the partnership to protect electricity distribution facilities and materials through enhanced coordination, information sharing, and joint law enforcement efforts.
Nartatez emphasized the need to protect electricity distribution for its critical role not only in the economy but also in the lives of the Filipino people. Those arrested are charged with Republic Act 7832, or the “Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.”
He said any disruption in the electricity distribution will certainly have significant effects not only on every household and school but also on the business sector, especially small and medium enterprises that power up the country’s economy.
“Protecting power distribution and other critical infrastructures is part of the PNP’s mandate. We will make sure that this mandate is observed down to the municipal and city levels,” said Nartatez.
