The Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., has stepped up efforts to improve the conviction rate for theft and pilferage of electricity distribution facilities and materials.
While territorial and other police units actively execute operations against electricity theft, Nartatez emphasized that law enforcement responsibilities extend beyond initial arrests.
Similar to focus crimes, Nartatez wants to ensure all suspects face strong legal charges built in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to secure convictions.
“The certainty of arrest and punishment is also a strong crime prevention measure because it sends a strong message that the rule of law always prevails. This is what we in the PNP are also focusing on matters pertaining to theft and pilferage of electricity,” Nartatez said.
The initiative follows a recent agreement signed between the PNP and a major electric power provider to safeguard energy infrastructure through shared information and joint law enforcement.
Nartatez called for similar joint operations across the country, aligning with directives from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to safeguard consumers from service disruptions.
Stressing that power infrastructure is vital to both everyday life and economic stability, Nartatez noted that offenders face prosecution under Republic Act No. 7832, also known as the “Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994”.
He added that power disruptions directly impact households, schools, and business operations, particularly small and medium enterprises.
“Protecting power distribution and other critical infrastructures is part of the PNP mandate, we will make sure that this mandate is observed down to the municipal and city levels,” Nartatez said.