Arson eyed in Ermita fire

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Fire Department is investigating a possible arson case behind a massive fire that caused over P2.3 million in property damage and displaced nearly 600 residents in Barangay Ermita on Black Saturday.

Senior Fire Officer 3 Wendell Villanueva, information officer of the Cebu City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), said a 40-year-old man—whose identity has not been disclosed—was initially placed under custody at Carbon Police Station 5 for safekeeping after he was allegedly assaulted by neighbors who accused him of starting the fire.

“During the firefighting operation, duna tay nasigpatan nga gikulata intawn nga residente. Unya, matud pa mao kunoy hinungdan sa maong sunog…maoy nagtuyo sa pagsunog,” Villanueva said.

The man was later released to barangay officials in Ermita due to the lack of evidence and witnesses supporting the accusations. He remains under the barangay’s protection amid threats from residents.

Villanueva clarified that the man was not arrested but was taken into custody solely for his safety after being beaten.

“Ang pagbutang ato sa custody sa kapulisan is for safekeeping. Walay arrest ang nahitabo ato,” he said.

“Kay na-pass the word naman gud na siya’y possible hinungdan, siya moy posibleng nagduslit kuno. So, gikulata siya,” he added.

As of April 6, Villanueva said no witnesses have come forward to execute sworn affidavits regarding the alleged involvement of the man.

Despite this, the Fire Arson Investigation Team of the Cebu City Fire Station continues to gather evidence to determine the cause of the blaze. Authorities are exploring all possible angles, including unattended cooking and the use of candles or lamps, noting that the man’s house reportedly had no electricity.

Villanueva said investigators will also consider statements from affected residents, although he emphasized that these remain unverified.

He noted that, so far, there are no credible eyewitness accounts linking the man to the fire, adding that the accusations may have stemmed from rumors circulating within the community.

Villanueva likened the situation to the 2012 “Chona Mae” incident in Cebu City, when false tsunami fears spread following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in the Visayas, causing widespread panic.

When asked whether the man may have a mental health condition, Villanueva dismissed the possibility, saying he was only believed to have been under the influence of illegal drugs.

Initial investigation showed that the fire destroyed 46 houses and caused an estimated P2.34 million in damage. The latest count also showed 166 families affected comprising of 579 individuals. The blaze spread rapidly due to the light materials used in the structures, prompting authorities to raise the alarm to the third level.

The Ermita fire was the third in a series of fire incidents that hit Cebu City on Saturday, posing a major challenge for firefighters.

“Katung Sabado de Gloria, very challenging to sa Bureau of Fire Protection, especially sa Cebu City Fire Station kay tulo ka sunod-sunod gyud na sunog ang atong gitubag,” Villanueva said.

The first and most destructive fire broke out at around 12:18 p.m. in two establishments along D. Jakosalem Street in Barangay Zapatera, while a second fire struck a residential compound in Sitio La Guardia, Barangay Lahug at about 6:27 p.m.

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man was arrested after attempting to set his neighbor’s house on fire in Barangay Yati, Liloan yesterday morning.

The suspect, identified as Jeffy Guidon Quijano, allegedly acted out of anger after his 12-year-old daughter was chased and injured by a neighbor’s dog. However, police said he mistakenly targeted another house adjacent to the intended target.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Arni Goc-ong, investigator at the Liloan Municipal Police Station, said the suspect was intoxicated at the time of the incident, which occurred around 12:59 a.m.

Investigators said multiple witnesses saw the suspect throw a bottle filled with gasoline—used as a makeshift lamp—at the victim’s house in an apparent attempt to start a fire.

The roof of the house owned by 54-year-old Arnold Jakosalem Agacita briefly caught fire but was immediately extinguished with the help of neighbors.

Agacita reported the incident to authorities, while two witnesses attempted to apprehend the suspect. However, he managed to escape after brandishing a knife.

Responding police officers later arrested the suspect and recovered an ice pick concealed in his waistband.

The suspect is now under detention, and charges for attempted arson and illegal possession of a deadly weapon are being prepared for filing today. — (FREEMAN)