Power company warns vs electricity pilferage in Cotabato City
COTABATO CITY—The Aboitiz-owned Cotabato Light and Power Company (Cotabato Light) warned the public against illegally tapping into electricity sources as the company, with the help of police, is escalating the apprehension of violators.
Arlene Valdez-Hepiga, speaking for Cotabato Light, said the power utility would run after those who tamper with, mutilate and steal power from Cotabato Light, a violation of Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Electric Transmission Lines, Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.
As of April 2021, a total of 97 violators have been apprehended. Aside from being made to pay the amount of the stolen electricity, violators also face criminal charges in court.
“Pilferage is a crime. It causes power interruption and exposes lives to the hazards of a possible fire,” Hepiga said as she appealed to power consumers to refrain from committing the illegal act.
The firm did not reveal the monetary loss inflicted by pilferage in 2020 or the first quarter of 2021.
