Ermita fire: No solid evidence point to arson – authorities
Person of interest in custody not detained
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Authorities on Tuesday said that there is no solid evidence yet to consider arson as the main cause of the Barangay Ermita fire on Black Saturday, April 4.
The evening fire damaged properties estimated at ₱2,340,000 and affected 579 residents. Some residents, however, pointed to an individual as the one who allegedly started the fire.
FIRE: Twin evening fires hit Cebu City on Black Saturday April 4
In custody but not detained
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rudolf Oriol, spokesperson of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the 40-year-old individual identified as the suspect is currently in police custody at Carbon Police Station 5, not as a detainee, but for his protection and safekeeping.
“Yes, gicustody lang una karon siya,” Oriol confirmed.
“Safekeeping na pod to para pud luwas pod siya kay basin og naay mahitabo kaniya gumikan sa kasuko sa emosyon sa mga tawo didto sa nasunogan.” (The individual is being kept for safekeeping to ensure that he won’t be harmed since people’s emotions are still high)
READ: Fire in Ermita leaves 98 families homeless on Black Saturday
Oriol said that investigations led by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are still ongoing and that they are awaiting the BFP’s statement regarding the person of interest.
No witness to confirm arson
Senior Fire Officer III Wendell Villanueva said that BFP is currently looking into other possible angles that may have caused the Ermita fire, since there is not enough evidence to rule arson just yet.
“Possible arson pero wala ra may eyewitness na nakatumbok na siya moy hinungdan. So nangita mig lain possible angle sa sunog.” (Arson is possible but since there are no witnesses who can positively identify the individual as the one who caused the fire, we are now looking at other possible causes of the blaze)
Villanueva also confirmed that the suspect had been beaten up, which was the reason why he was being placed under custody.
“Wala to gi-detain, for safekeeping ra to siya kay gikulata to siya didto sa Ermita. Wala to siya gidakop, gi custody lang to for safekeeping,” said Villanueva. (We did not detain the suspected individual just safekeeping since he was already mauled in Ermita)
Support from the city
According to the latest report by the Cebu City Public Information Office (PIO), the Ermita fire has affected 46 houses, 166 families, and 579 individuals. At least 32 homes were completely damaged, while 6 were partially burned.
READ: Some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues
Although the fire did not result in any casualties or major injuries, the city is currently providing relief to the displaced fire victims, who are temporarily sheltered at the Ermita Gym and Ermita Elementary School which served as temporary evacuation centers.
Recommendations have also been made to provide financial assistance to the affected households, amounting to ₱20,000 for totally and partially damaged houses. The city is also eyeing to give ₱10,000 for sharers and renters, and ₱5,000 for lodgers and absentee owners.
The city assured that it is coordinating with concerned agencies, as investigations by the CCPO and BFP are still ongoing, and authorities are looking into the possible liability of the alleged suspect behind the Ermita fire.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
