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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Saturday, April 29, 2017
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ILOILO City – A boardinghouse cum computer shop in Barangay Democracia, Jaro district was stealing electricity, according to Task Force Boltahe.
Three village officials identified the owner as Barangay Chairman Rex Jalbuena, Boltahe head Ernesto Fabales said.
The establishment was tapping into the electrical connection of the barangay hall — a violation of Republic Act 7832, or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.
“At first, we did not know who the owner was,” Fabales said in Hiligaynon. “We called several barangay officials, and they all pointed to the chairman.”
According to Fabales, they discovered the illegal connection by accident.
Task Force Boltahe personnel were looking into the Jaro Small Market, whose electricity bill has recently spiked.
After their operation, some residents pointed to more areas where they claimed illegal electrical connections were rampant.
“Power went out in the boardinghouse cum computer shop after we cut a wire connecting to the barangay hall,” said Fabales.
Fabales stressed that the city government pays for the electricity consumption of barangay halls.
Task Force Boltahe seized six computer sets from the shop and other possible evidence of power pilferage.
A water dispenser in the computer shop had Jalbuena’s name on it, Fabales noted.
“I think they have been pilfering electricity for a while now,” he said.
The task force will prepare a report to be submitted to the City Legal Office for legal opinion.
“We will [file the] necessary case depending on the legal opinion,” said Fabales.
Task Force Boltahe also caught several residential houses in barangays Democracia and San Roque in Jaro with illegal electrical connections./PN
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