TWO persons face charges for the electrocution of two children in Zamboanga City. (FB)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two persons are facing criminal charges for allegedly operating an illegal electricity connection that led to the electrocution of two children here last June.
The victims were playing volleyball at Valle Vista in Barangay Kasanyangan when they came in contact with an illicit power line.
They sustained severe injuries and one of them had his private part removed due to severe burns.
Investigation disclosed that Valle Vista has no existing power lines from the local power cooperative, the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco).
The suspects, however, allegedly engaged in illegal connection by tapping power lines from a different source and reselling it to households in Valle Vista.
Zamcelco initiated legal action against the suspects last Friday, Oct. 24, by assisting the mother of the children in subscribing her affidavit as part of preparations for the filing of formal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries and violation of Republic Act 7832, the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/ Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.
RA No. 7832 explicitly penalizes various acts of electricity pilferage, including unauthorized connections, tampering with meters, and benefiting from illegally obtained power.