BFP relieves city fire chief for “disloyalty”

CEBU, Philippines - Less than a week after the standoff between the fire department and the city government over the temporary city hospital, Cebu City Fire Marshal is relieved from his post.

With this, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will “defend” his city fire marshal by calling Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Austere Panadero.

Vonrad Fernando Dubluis, a lawyer, learned Monday that he will no longer be serving as the city fire marshal after colleagues from Bureau of Fire Protection central office has informed him.

“I have not received a copy of the order but I learned yesterday (Monday) from friends in Manila. Sa akong nahibaw-an, disloyal kuno ko and wala na siya’y trust nako,” Dubluis said referring to BFP 7 Regional Director Ma. Luisa Hadjula.

Dubluis mediated and proposed compromise when a commotion Thursday ensued between the fire department regional director and the city government as both government offices claimed occupancy with the BFP building ending the hours-long standoff that had fire trucks from several fire stations coming over the compound with sirens on with the city police stepping in to ensure no violence occurs. — (FREEMAN)