Quezon city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) have reinforced their partnership in combating theft and pilferage of electricity distribution facilities and materials. The partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the renewed agreement between the PNP and Meralco is driven by the need to address the rising incidents of electricity theft and the pilferage of power distribution materials, which directly affect public safety, economic stability, and service reliability, as stated by PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in a news release Tuesday.

The agreement reinforces coordination, information sharing, and joint law enforcement operations in implementing Republic Act No. 7832, or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act. It also updates and strengthens an earlier accord signed in December 2024 following a review ordered by the PNP leadership.

Nartatez highlighted that the partnership is a response to persistent cases of illegal connections, meter tampering, and the theft of electrical materials in several communities, which both institutions said undermine critical infrastructure and disrupt essential services. "We have directed all regional and provincial offices to closely coordinate with Meralco field units, intensify case build-up against offenders, and immediately act on reports involving tampering, illegal connections, and stolen electrical materials," he said.

The MOU was signed by Nartatez; Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay, Acting Director of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management; Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer; and Jerry Lao, Meralco first vice president and head of Facilities Safety and Security Management.