Fire hits Taguig gun facility

A three-story house where guns are reportedly being manufactured was destroyed by a fire yesterday morning in Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig City.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Douglas Modomo, arson investigator, said the fire started at the second floor of a house located at Block 15, Lot 35, EP Housing Compound at around 6:12 a.m.

The house, which was reportedly owned by Rosadel de la Cruz, a policeman, was a factory of guns, bullets, bulletproof vests and other gun accessories.

At least five firetrucks were sent to the area. The blaze reached the second alarm and was contained at around 6:55 a.m.

No one was injured in the incident but at least P1 million worth of propertywere razed to the ground.

Modomo said they are conducting follow-up investigation to determine the cause of the fire. He added they will also subject to questioning De la Cruz’s two stay-in helpers — Florence Cuenca and her brother Cris.

Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Virgilio de la Cruz, Taguig Fire chief, said that several residents in the area were complaining to authories, saying the house should not be turned into a factory as it is within a residential area.

The homeowners group has opposed the use of the house for business because of the noise and an unpleasant smell it emits.

However, De la Cruz’s company, the Defense Contract Corp. Philippines, is duly registered. De la Cruz also has a Taiwanese business partner who was identified as a certain Edward Yu.