Manila, June 9 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) have reinforced their partnership in combating theft and pilferage of electricity distribution facilities and materials.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday.

"The renewed agreement between the PNP and Meralco is driven by the need to address the rising incidents of electricity theft and the pilferage of power distribution materials, which directly affect public safety, economic stability, and service reliability," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a news release Tuesday.

The agreement reinforces coordination, information sharing and...