Cavite: Three individuals were arrested for alleged electricity pilferage in Cavite, the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II stated that the suspects were caught in the act of installing a resistor device into an electric meter owned by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). This device was intended to manipulate the meter's recording mechanism to reduce electricity consumption, which is a violation of the law. The incident occurred in Barangay Kabulusan, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite, on July 24.

Maj. Gen. Morico noted that the operation was initiated following a complaint from Meralco. The complaint alleged that the suspects were offering 'electric meter tampering services with device' for a PHP15,000 package deal. These services included calibrating the meter to match the consumer's preferred monthly electric bill.

Morico highlighted that Republic Act 7832, known as the "Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994," was enacted to combat the widespread issue of electricity theft, tampering, and the illegal manipulation of electrical infrastructure across the country.

The legislation acknowledges that such pilferage results in substantial revenue losses for electric companies, raises electricity rates for lawful consumers, and damages electric infrastructure, posing a threat to public safety. Beyond legal repercussions, tampering with meter circuitry can lead to serious electrical overloading and short circuits, which often result in catastrophic house fires, fatal electrocutions, or localized grid explosions.