The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMCELCO) is pushing to improve its services as it intensifies its crackdown on electricity theft, securing convictions against eight individuals involved in illegal power pilferage following an entrapment operation.

The electric cooperative said Tuesday that the case stemmed from an operation by the National Bureau of Investigation, local police, military personnel, and ZAMCELCO’s Energy Recovery Team in San Juaniño Village, Barangay Mampang. 

The operation targeted violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 7832, the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994, and the case was filed the following day.

Of the eleven apprehended, three settled their differential billing, while the remaining eight faced trial.

Last week, presiding Judge Manuel M. Wee Sit IV convicted all eight for pilferage under Section 2 of RA 7832.

“These convictions send a clear and strong message: ZAMCELCO will not tolerate electricity pilferage,” said Atty. Rommel S. Agan, Chief Management Officer. “The Management remains committed to protecting its resources and ensuring that honest member-consumer-owners continue to receive fair and reliable service.”

Section 2 of RA 7832 prohibits unauthorized tapping or connections to electric service wires, connecting to a registered consumer’s facilities without consent, or knowingly using electricity obtained through such acts.

ZAMCELCO General Manager Engr. Gannumede B. Tiu said individuals who provide verified reports of pilferage may receive incentives of up to P5,000. 

“We urge the public to report any incident of theft, as acts of electricity pilferage contribute directly to system losses that affect all member-consumer-owners,” Tiu said.

The cooperative said it will continue filing cases this year, including a recent case against the owner of a Suterville establishment and a barangay official, both accused of illegal tapping.