By Michel Joy Radam
BULACAN – Consumer advocate Engr. Even Calajate was released from the PNP Headquarters in San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) on February 12 after posting bail.
This was confirmed through a social media post by his son Eves Oliver who questioned the motive behind the detention of his father.
“What can a 76-year-old man do to harm? Or could it be the truth that rattled you?” Eves Oliver said in his post.
Calajate was arrested on February 11 over alleged politically motivated charges filed by five members of the Kalipunan at Lakas ng mga Itinatanging Kababaihan (KLIK), Inc., a group known for supporting the Robes family.
The arrest warrant was issued on February 9 by Pasay Judge Maria Luwalhati Carandang Cruz, indicting Calajate of perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and unlawful publication under Article 154 of the RPC.
Citing in its resolution the consumer advocate’s testimony in a Senate inquiry against PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation on September 29, 2025 triggered the complaints, where Calajate named the spouses Mayor Florida Robes and Rep. Arturo Robes as promoters of the flawed joint venture between PrimeWater and the local water district.
The consumer advocate pertained to a 2016 privilege speech by then Rep. Florida Robes where she said that the water of San Jose del Monte is inefficient, thus justifying the need for the joint venture.
Calajate is known for expanding SJDM’s water services from 1,300 households in 1989 to 72,000 in 2006 and formerly serving as Board Chair of the San Jose Del Monte Water District. He leads the Alliance for Consumer Protection (ACP) while serving as a SUKI Network convenor and member of the Water for the People Network (WPN).
In a joint statement, the ACP and WPN condemned the arrest, noting a pattern of harassment against critics of water privatization.
“[T]his is similar to how former pro-consumer and right to water advocate Councilor Irene Del Rosario was arrested on duty at the session hall years ago after she criticized water privatization in SJDM and the Robeses for ensuring the entry of PrimeWater in the municipality,” group said in a statement.
Meanwhile, rights group Migrante Philippines joined the call for justice, condemning the arrest as an attack on civil liberties.
“The case of Engr. Calajate is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader framework of neoliberal policies pushed by the state, where basic services are surrendered to the control of a few businesses while the voices of the resisting citizens are stifled,” Migrante Philippines said. “Under such an order, standing up for one’s rights is met with legal cases, red-tagging, and arrests.”
A group of progressive engineers group, Pro-people Engineers and Leaders (Propel) also condemned Calajate’s arrest, saying that authorities and service providers should focus on addressing the disservice of Primewater instead of targeting critics.
Propel said that “Access to clean and reliable water resources is not a privilege—it is a basic human right and a manifestation of public trust.”
They added, “With the ongoing frustration from the residents of SJDM in Bulacan regarding poor water quality, supply interruptions, and alleged contractual failures brought by the management takeover of Primewater in its water services, the people of SJDM in Bulacan deserve urgent investigation and remedy, along with other communities facing the same inconveniences by private corporations exploiting such necessity for profit.”The group expressed solidarity with Calajate and to all residents demanding safe, reliable, and affordable water for their communities. (With reports from Anne Marxze Umil) (DAA)
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