ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 41 on Friday slapped a fine of PHP20,000 each against six individuals for violating Republic Act (RA) 7832, or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.
Ordered to pay fines were Aldhazer Uding; Alrasid Ibnohasim; Basil Hamja; Abdurajak Pulalon; Adzhar Jumala; and Sattal Ababon, all residents of Barangay Mariki, this city.
The order was penned by RTC Branch 41 Judge Jules Christian Marcos.
“During the arraignment, all the accused voluntarily entered a plea of guilty,” the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) said in a statement.
“Based on their plea, the court found all the accused guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and penalized each to pay a fine of PHP20,000.”
The case stemmed from a joint operation on May 20 by the National Bureau of Investigation, Zamcelco, and other law enforcement agencies targeting alleged electricity pilferage.
The coordinated operation demonstrated the strong partnership among the appropriate authorities and Zamcelco in addressing illegal activities that compromised the integrity of the electric distribution system.
Zamcelco reminded the public that electricity theft carries serious legal consequences.
Under RA 7832, any person found to have violated the law must pay the utility or cooperative concerned double the value of the estimated electricity illegally used, also known as differential billing.
This is in addition to the penalty of “prision mayor,” a fine ranging from PHP10,000 to PHP20,000, or both, at the court’s discretion.
“This marked our fourth conviction involving electricity pilferage cases, showing that Zamcelco is serious in pursuing violators and ensuring that those who compromised the integrity of our electric distribution system are held accountable,” Rommel Agan, Zamcelco chief management officer, said in the same statement.
“We remain committed to working with law enforcement agencies to enforce the law.”
To encourage public participation, Zamcelco offers a PHP5,000 tipster reward to individuals whose reports are verified and confirmed as positive after proper investigation. (PNA)