Manila Electric Company has once again sounded the alarm on the serious dangers of stealing power cables and electrical facilities after a predawn incident in Quezon City briefly cut electricity to nearly 8,000 customers.
The incident occurred at around 3:00 a.m. on January 4, when a 37-year-old man attempted to steal power cables from an energized line. The act triggered a flashover, causing the suspect to suffer severe burns before falling from a tree. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition.
The attempted theft resulted in a temporary power interruption in the affected area. Meralco crews were immediately dispatched and completed repairs swiftly, restoring electricity by around 7:00 a.m.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said the incident highlights the life-threatening risks associated with tampering with electrical facilities, stressing that the danger goes far beyond service disruptions.
Any contact with live power lines, he said, can result in electric shock, serious injury, or death due to the high voltage carried by Meralco infrastructure.
Savet again appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to help protect communities by reporting suspicious activities involving power facilities, noting that public cooperation is essential to maintaining safe and reliable electricity service.
Meralco also reminded the public that cable and wire theft is a criminal offense under Republic Act No. 7832, or the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Act, which imposes penalties including imprisonment and substantial fines.
Customers may report power-related concerns and suspicious activities through the MyMeralco app, the company’s official social media pages on Facebook and X, via text at 0920-9716211 or 0917-5516211, or by calling the Meralco Hotline at 16211.