Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has filed a criminal complaint against two individuals involved in the unauthorized removal of an electric meter in Rodriguez, Rizal.
The incident happened on April 8, 2026, inside a subdivision and was captured on video that later circulated on social media. The footage showed a man forcibly removing a resident’s electric meter despite objections and without presenting identification or authorization.
Meralco said its investigation found that the person acted under instructions from the property owner. The company has filed a complaint for malicious mischief before the Rizal Provincial Prosecution Office, citing intentional damage to its property.
Joe R. Zaldarriaga said Meralco quickly restored the customer’s electricity and launched an investigation after learning of the incident. He stressed that electric meters are owned by the company and cannot be removed or tampered with without proper authority.
Zaldarriaga also warned the public to be cautious of individuals pretending to be Meralco personnel. He reminded customers that legitimate workers wear uniforms, carry company IDs and official work orders, and use clearly marked vehicles.
Meralco urged the public to report similar incidents to the company and authorities, as it continues to coordinate efforts to prevent illegal activities and protect customers.
