BACOLOD CITY — A Bacolod City resident’s Holy Week celebrations took a turn for the worse after he was apprehended by Negros Power security personnel for stealing electricity.

Jimmy Cepeda, a resident of Purok Makawiwili, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City, was arrested at around 9:00 a.m. on April 16 after being caught red-handed by Negros Power security guards connecting a wire to the secondary line leading to his house without a meter.

Cepeda, unable to deny the offense, was immediately turned over to the police by the Negros Power apprehension team. He is currently detained at the Bacolod City Police Station 3, pending the filing of charges against him.

Under Republic Act 7832, the Anti-Pilferage Law, electricity theft is strictly prohibited and carries a penalty of imprisonment and a fine of up to P100,000.

Negros Power officials revealed that Cepeda had been discovered with illegal connections twice before and had been summoned to settle differential billing charges, but he failed to appear. This led to the security team monitoring his residence and ultimately catching him in the act.

This marks the first time Negros Power has caught someone stealing electricity red-handed. The company has issued a strong warning to those engaging in this illegal activity, urging them to stop and apply for legal connections.

“It’s unfair to our legitimate consumers who religiously pay their electricity bills,” said Roel Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Negros Power. “We will continue to apprehend those who steal electricity and hold them accountable under the law.”

Stolen electricity contributes to system losses, which legitimate consumers ultimately bear.

The arrest serves as a stern reminder to those who believe they can get away with electricity theft.

Negros Power remains committed to protecting its legitimate consumers and ensuring a fair and equitable system for all.