"Missing" firetrucks found

CEBU, Philippines - The two Cebu City Government-owned fire trucks that were reported missing and was subject of a search were found to be under the care of the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Fire Brigade.

These trucks were donated to Cebu City a town from Japan 10 years ago. Noting that these have not been seen for a while now, Councilor Edgardo Labella sponsored a resolution requesting the fire marshall to investigate and locate the two fire trucks.

Cebu City Fire Marshall Aderson Comar said he learned that after the two fire trucks arrived in Cebu from Japan, these were immediately turned over to the custody of the Cebu-Filipino Chinese fire fighters.

“Nag-estorya na kami ug ang mga opisyal sa Cebu Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade ug andam nila nga itugyan pagbalik sa dakbayan ang duha ka fire trucks kon gusto sa atong mga opisyal,” Comar told THE FREEMAN. (I have spoken with the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade and they are ready to return the trucks anytime the City wants them to.)

Comar sent a letter to the Cebu City Council last Friday about this. He said it would be better if the two fire trucks from Ishida town, Iki Island in Nagasaki, Japan will remain with the Cebu-Filipino Chinese Fire Brigade.

“Wala may problema kon adto ra nila ang fire trucks kay moapil man sila og responde kon dunay mga sunog dinhi sa dakbayan,” Comar explained. (There’s no problem because they respond to fire alarms.)

Labella said the fire trucks were never used in Ishida. One of the trucks is equipped with a 200-feet aerial ladder, a bucket with platform and water cannon, while the other had a huge water tank.

Labella received reports that the two fire trucks were no longer seen during the recent fires that broke out in Cebu City, prompting him to look into the matter. (FREEMAN)