Journalist's home targeted in alleged arson attempt

MANILA, Philippines — A 21-year-old allegedly attempted to set fire to the home of a journalist in Laguna early Thursday morning, July 16.

In an interview with DZMM on Thursday, journalist Marlon Ramos said the incident occurred past 2 a.m. when he and his wife were awakened by the sound of an explosion.

Upon opening their bedroom door, Ramos said they were immediately met with thick, suffocating smoke.

Ramos discovered that the fire was coming from their kitchen.

“Masakit na sa ilong 'yung usok; nakakasulasok na makapal na 'yung usok,” Ramos said.

(The smoke is hurting my nose; it's so thick, it's suffocating.)

“Nagsisigaw na ako ng ‘tulong,’ kasi 'yung ano 'yung bahay namin malapit na malapit lang sa guard house,” he added.

(I was already shouting for help because our house is very close to the guard house.)

Neighbors and security personnel quickly responded and put out the fire before it spread, according to media reports.

The suspect, identified only as "Juber," allegedly brought a pail filled with gasoline and poured it into the kitchen before setting it on fire.

Ramos said the suspect was a friend of his son whom they had treated as one of their own.

Juber later claimed that Ramos' son had been bullying him.

However, Ramos clarified that his son and their classmates had simply been avoiding Juber because of what he described as the suspect's increasingly unusual behavior, strange remarks and odd social media posts.

Media reports said the 21-year-old was arrested later that morning.

Authorities are now investigating the motive behind the alleged arson attempt.