Police arrested three individuals for stealing components of the Diokno Pumping Station in Pasay City, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday.
Dizon said the individuals stole cables and electronic components worth P183,000 last week.
He added that authorities believe two of them work for the station’s contractor, and the contractor would shoulder the cost of replacing the stolen components.
‘Police officers immediately responded when we reported the incident,’ Dizon told reporters in an interview.
Dizon said the stolen components are important for operating the pumping station’s generator and effectively pumping out floodwater.
‘This is not just a petty crime, as what they did will cause great inconvenience to our fellow citizens, especially during the rainy season. This is not a joke, and we do not take this lightly. We will file cases against them and have them jailed, but I want them to truly experience the consequences of their actions,’ he added.
Dizon also said he would order the individuals to be assigned to cleanup operations at the pumping station.
‘I want them to experience the same hardships our employees endure in cleaning mud and garbage from drainage systems,’ he added.
He also said personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard would be deployed to provide additional security at the Diokno, Remedios, Abad, Faura, Luneta and Harbor pumping stations to prevent further theft.
The Diokno Pumping Station would be operational this week amid the expected entry of Super Typhoon Champi into the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the tropical cyclone is expected to bring heavy rains over Northern Luzon.