600,000 Electricity Thieves Arrested Since 2005, Meralco Reports

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) revealed on Monday that approximately 600,000 individuals have been arrested for stealing electricity-related materials, such as wires and meters, over nearly two decades.

Meralco COO Ronnie Aperocho shared this during a Senate Committee on Public Service hearing regarding the company’s bid for a new 25-year franchise.

“Based on our records, around 600,000 service violators have been apprehended from 2005 to September 2024, thanks to cooperation with law enforcement agencies, especially the police,” Aperocho said.

Confiscation of Illegal Wires

Since 2007, Meralco has confiscated a staggering 8,300 tons of illegal wires, equivalent to 207 to 6,000 kilometers. According to Aperocho, this weight surpasses 2,600 SUVs and stretches roughly seven times the circumference of the Earth.

“Our warehouses are running out of space due to the sheer volume of illegal wires we have confiscated,” he added.

Impact on Consumers

Meralco explained that system loss charges, included in monthly bills, partially cover non-technical losses such as electricity theft and meter reading errors. These losses, beyond the control of distribution utilities, can be recovered up to 8.5%, as allowed by ERC Resolution No. 17, Series of 2008.

Preventive Measures

To combat electricity theft, Meralco is raising the elevation of electric meters to reduce direct tampering.

“The most effective way to address theft is to elevate the meters to make them less accessible,” Aperocho noted.