Four nabbed for illegal water connection raps

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Four persons who were charged for water pilferage were arrested in separate occasions noon of September 21 at Pototan, Iloilo.

Police identified the suspects as Marilou Jallorina, 71; couple Eddie Calmerin, 60 and Sol Calmerin, 62; and Candy Pedrita, 42. All are residents of San Jose Ward village, Pototan.

Jallorina was arrested first around 12 pm while Eddie was nabbed 10 minutes later and and Sol at 12:20 pm.

Pedrita was arrested 12:30 pm.

Members of Pototan Police Station and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Special Operations Group apprehended the four for violation of Republic Act 8041 (National Water Crisis Act of 1995) docketed as Criminal Case No. C-6132.

Judge Eva Saul-Padilla issued the arrest warrant on Sept. 15, 2021.

Bailbond for their temporary freedom was set at P12,000 each.

A report from Pototan Police Station indicated that the four suspects were accused of theft or water pilferage following an inspection by personnel of the Dingle-Pototan Water District on May 21, 2013.

The inspection was conducted as part of the monitoring activities on the disconnected concessionaires at Boulevard San Jose Ward.

The water district personnel allegedly discovered an illegal connection attached to the distribution extension line that traversed beside the residence of spouses Eddie and Sol Calmerin.

The illegal connection allegedly went through the residences of Pedrita and Jallorina.

The respondents were given a chance to submit their counter-affidavit but failed to comply.

They immediately posted bail after their arrest.

They claimed that they had already reached a settlement with the water district management.