Camille Naredo

Three men are arrested for allegedly offering and installing devices that tamper with Meralco electric meters in Cavite, July 29, 2026. Handout/PNP CIDG

Article (news)

Cavite

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785311050609THUMB.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Three men are arrested for allegedly offering and installing devices that tamper with Meralco electric meters in Cavite, July 29, 2026. Handout/PNP CIDG"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Three men are arrested for allegedly offering and installing devices that tamper with Meralco electric meters in Cavite, July 29, 2026. <em>Handout/PNP CIDG</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Three men were arrested in Cavite for allegedly offering and installing devices that tamper with Meralco electric meters to reduce customers&#x27; recorded electricity consumption.</p><p>According to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 4A (CIDG RFU 4A) chief PCol. Ganaban Ali, the operation stemmed from a complaint filed by Meralco after the suspects allegedly offered &quot;electric meter tampering services with device&quot; online for a package price of P15,000.</p><p>Ali said the suspects promised customers they could calibrate a resistor installed inside the electric meter based on the amount they wanted to pay for their monthly electricity bill.</p><p>&quot;So ibig sabihin, &#x27;pag ang gusto ng customer, P1,500 lang ang maging electric bill niya monthly, ay magiging fixed na po &#x27;yun sa kasunod pang mga buwan,&quot; Ali said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/19/meralco-responds-to-viral-complaint-about-p90k-electric-bill-1721">READ: Meralco responds to viral complaint about P90k electric bill</a></div><p>The suspects were caught while allegedly installing a resistor device inside a Meralco electric meter. </p><p>Recovered during the operation were an allegedly tampered electric meter, resistor devices, and tools believed to have been used in modifying electric meters.</p><p>Investigators are also tracking households that may have availed of the illegal service after the suspects allegedly admitted to installing tampered meters in 31 homes.</p><p>&quot;Ito po ngayon ang tini-trace namin ng PNP at ng Meralco para po matunton natin &#x27;yung mga household na nakabitan na po nila,&quot; Ali said. </p><p>Police had identified one of the suspects as an electrician who also worked as a third-party lineman for Meralco.</p><p>Ali urged Meralco to conduct a thorough review of all its third-party personnel to help stop similar illegal activities.</p><p>&quot;Ang panawagan po namin sa Meralco na lahat po ng mga third party na nagtatrabaho sa kanila, ay i-double check po natin ito para matuldukan na, matapos na po ang mga electrical tampering na mga ginagawa nila,&quot; he added. </p><p>Authorities also warned that tampering with electric meters poses serious safety risks. </p><p>According to Ali, modifying a meter&#x27;s circuitry could overload electrical systems, trigger short circuits, and potentially cause fires, particularly in houses made of light materials.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SYSTEM LOSS</strong></div><p>He added that electricity pilferage also contributes to system losses that are ultimately shouldered by legitimate consumers through higher electricity rates.</p><p>&quot;Dahil po sa ginagawa ng ating mga kababayan, gumagawa ng mga ilegal, ang nagsa-suffer po ay ang ating mga kababayan na walang kamuang-muang.  Nagtataka na lang sila na tumataas po ang mga electric bill nila dahil sa mga system losses,&quot; Ali said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/27/marcos-wants-systems-loss-charges-removed-from-electricity-bill-rooftop-solar-made-easier-1727">READ: Marcos wants systems loss charges removed from electricity bill</a></div><p>The suspects are facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 7832, or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.</p><p>The CIDG said the operation was conducted in partnership with Meralco as part of ongoing efforts to crack down on electricity pilferage and urged the public to report individuals involved in illegal power connections, unauthorized sub-meters, and electric meter tampering.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MERALCO WARNS AGAINST ILLEGAL METER TAMPERING SERVICES</strong></div><p>Meralco, meanwhile, urged its customers not to patronize illegal electric meter tampering services.</p><p>In a statement on Wednesday, Meralco said it continues to work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen its campaign against electricity theft and other crimes involving the company&#x27;s power distribution facilities, including meter tampering.</p><p>&quot;Muli rin kaming nagpapaalala sa aming mga customer na huwag tangkilikin ang mga inaalok na ganitong serbisyo na lubhang ipinagbabawal sa batas,&quot; said Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga.</p><p>Meralco stressed that electricity theft and the illegal manipulation of its facilities are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines.</p><p>The company also appealed to the public to help combat electricity theft by reporting suspected illegal connections and other unlawful activities through its 24/7 hotline, 16211, or through its official Facebook and X social media accounts.</p><div></div>

<p>Three men were arrested in Cavite for allegedly offering and installing devices that tamper with Meralco electric meters to reduce customers' recorded electricity consumption.</p>

Three men were arrested in Cavite for allegedly offering and installing devices that tamper with Meralco electric meters to reduce customers' recorded electricity consumption.

3 arrested for alleged electricity meter tampering scheme in Cavite

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3 arrested for alleged electricity meter tampering scheme in Cavite

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 29, 2026 03:46 PM PHT

|

Updated July 29, 2026 06:05 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

CIDG

Meralco

electricity

pilferage

system loss

crime

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