Cordova man accused of arson

CEBU, Philippines - An arson case will be filed against a man who allegedly burned his own house and four other houses last Thursday in Barangay Ibabao, Cordova town, Cebu.

Fernando Daluhig, 39, of Sitio Panagdait, will face arson charges for allegedly setting fire to his house at around 5:20 p.m. with the fire spreading to other houses.

Imee Henonie, 19, a neighbor of the suspect, reportedly saw Daluhig fleeing from his burning house before the fire spread to neighboring houses.

She said Daluhig was carrying a bag when he ran out of his house.

Daluhig denied the allegations, adding that he was in Lapu-Lapu City when the fire happened. He also said he could not have burned his own house as he could make money off it by selling it.

He believes somebody might have entered his house and set it on fire because one can easily get inside as the door was already dilapidated.

However, at least eight of his neighbors claimed that he was inside his house on Thursday morning until a few minutes before the fire started.

Cordova Fire Station chief Sr. Insp. Ethel Morgaha said the suspect allegedly burned his house after he was depressed when his live-in partner Susan Supan left him.

“He has long been threatening to burn the house after Supan said she will sell it,” Morgaha said in Cebuano.

His neighbors also said he rarely lives there now after Supan moved to Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, following their separation. He only goes there to visit every once in a while.

The other houses destroyed in the fire belonged to Johny Henonie, Julian Cola, Lucy Henonie and Raymond Cua. The house of Vicente Roda was also damaged.

Damage was set at P332,000.

Morgaha said they are still preparing the victim’s affidavits which will be used against the suspect. — (FREEMAN)