2 power thieves arrested in Navotas

Policemen caught two power thieves who were at the top of an electric post tampering with a power line at past midnight yesterday in Navotas.

Police Officer 2 Remigio Rivera identified the suspects as Roger Montesa, 30, and Danilo Ladipe, 45, both of Maliputo street in Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas.

Rivera said that at 1:10 a.m., a team led by Police Officer 3 Cesario Naturalesa and Police Officer 1 Roberto Santillan was on a routine patrol when they noticed an aluminum ladder leaning on an electric post on Maliputo street.

When the policemen came closer to inspect the ladder, they saw two men hurriedly climbing down the post.

The men tried to flee but were immediately apprehended by the police. The suspects yielded an electrical tape, two pliers, two cutters and several meters of electrical wires.

Rivera said charges of violation of the anti-electricity pilferage law will be filed against the Montesa and Ladipe.

Illegal power connections are rampant, especially in depressed areas in Navotas, Caloocan, Malabon and Valenzuela.

Tampered power lines are often cited as the cause of fires in slum areas since they could trigger electrical malfunctions or short circuits.

Most residents in squatter colonies in the northern part of Metro Manila get their electricity from illegal connections. – Pete Laude