By Jennifer P. Rendon
A village official from La Paz, Iloilo City was arrested over an electricity pilferage case morning of March 22, 2021.
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Iloilo Field Unit collared Barangay Captain Rene Firmeza, 63, at his office in Barangay Caingin, La Paz.
CIDG-Iloilo led by Major Jess Baylon, together with La Paz Police Station apprehended Firmeza by virtue of an arrest warrant for violation of Section 2 (a) and (e) in relation to section 7 (A) of R.A 7832 (Anti-electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994) docketed under Criminal Case No. 21-86089.
Judge Victorino Oliveros Maniba, Jr., of the 6th Regional Trial Court, Iloilo City, issued the arrest warrant on Feb. 4, 2021. A P72,000 bail was set for his temporary liberty.
Baylon said Firmeza did not resist when arrested.
While he knew about the case, Firmeza claimed he was not aware that a warrant of arrest was already issued against him.
Baylon said that MORE Power and Electric Corporation stood as complainant against Firmeza.
MORE Power personnel discovered Firmeza’s alleged illegal connection, or “jumper,” on Sept. 7, 2020.
Firmeza was not caught in the act connecting the alleged jumper, thus, MORE Power opted to lodge the charge by regular filing before the Iloilo City Prosecutors Office on Oct. 14, 2020.
Aside from Firmeza, MORE Power has also hauled to court several village officials and even ordinary clienteles who allegedly pilfered electricity.
