By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are tightening their partnership against electricity theft and the pilferage of power-distribution equipment, in a move aimed at protecting the country’s largest power network from mounting losses and disruptions.
The two agencies renewed their commitment during a recent meeting between Meralco officials and senior police officers, focusing on stronger coordination in detecting, preventing and prosecuting incidents involving illegal electricity connections and stolen electrical facilities.
The partnership will also explore technical training for PNP electrical engineers and electricians, giving police personnel greater capability in dealing with cases involving power infrastructure and electrical systems.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said the intensified campaign forms part of the company’s broader effort to reduce non-technical system losses while safeguarding the reliability of its distribution network.
The renewed cooperation comes as electricity theft remains more than a revenue problem—it can also pose serious risks to communities, damage distribution facilities and potentially compromise the stability of power services.
For Meralco and the PNP, the message is increasingly clear:
Stealing electricity is not simply stealing power—it is putting an entire distribution system at risk.
ia/xf
