Tagbilaran fire chief now BFP-7 in-charge

CEBU, Philippines - The Tagbilaran fire marshal has been installed as the new Cebu City Bureau of Fire Protection chief after former Cebu City fire marshal Chief Insp. Conrad Dobluis was relieved from his post allegedly due to “disloyalty.”

Chief Insp. Rogelio Bongabong Jr, who has been in the service for 15 years, was officially appointed by Chief Supt. Carlito Romero as BFP officer-in-charge and Cebu City’s fire chief effective November 13 pursuant to BFP-7 Regional Personnel Placement Board Resolution Number REA-2013-11-013.

The turnover was officiated by BFP-7 Assistant Regional Director for Ope-rations Supt. Ismael Codilla yesterday at the BFP building on behalf of BFP Regional Director Ma. Luisa Hadjula, who was away an official business at the time.

Further, two fire marshals from Bohol were also appointed in Cebu City they are Senior Insp. Manases Bautista and SFO3 Geronides Gonzaga.

Bongabong served Bohol for 15 months prior to his reassignment. He was also the fire marshal of the Mandaue City for three years.

Dobluis, who headed Cebu City’s fire department for about four months, acted as mediator during the standoff between the BFP regional personnel and city’s demolition team while in the midst of the preparation for super typhoon Yolanda.

Dobluis has not been designated to any post yet, but he was assigned to the office of the regional director. He has been in the service for 16 years and was BFP’s legal head before he was promoted as the city’s fire marshal.

Dobluis clarified that he was relieved because BFP lacks personnel.

“I think it was the regional director’s view and treated it that way nga dili ko loyal,” he said, addressing the issue of his alleged disloyalty.

Dobluis explained that he cannot allow his men to be involved during the commotion and to be physically harmed considering the conflict.

However, he said that if he finds there is malice as to his reassignment  he will sue whoever is responsible for the said act.

“It (order) was presumed to be valid and legal but if this was done in bad faith and malice I will seek appropriate charges. But I am hopeful nga wala’y bad intention,” Dobluis said.

Dobluis congratulated Bongabong after the turnover ceremony.

“I know you can manage the situation because you are the Mandaue fire chief. Kaya mo ang trabaho mabug-at o malisod man,” Dobluis told Bongabong.

When asked about his new post, Bongabong said it will be difficult, taking into consideration the tension between the city government and the regional office of  BFP.

“Bug-at kay naay walay klarong office, naa’y problema ang amahan sa city and inahan sa region (BFP). But I assure nga ipadayon nako ang serbisyo, ang mandato sa BFP para sa katawhan,” Bongabong said.

The BFP compound is temporarily being used by the city hospital after the Cebu City Medical Center across the BFP building was declared unfit for occupancy after the October 15 quake hit Cebu and Bohol.

After the turnover, Bongabong visited the office of the mayor, but Rama refused to see the newly appointed city fire chief.

“I am not ready for the courtesy call. I still have to look into and find to be convinced what kind of government we have under DILG,” Rama said.

“Fight for that (post) because you are unceremoniously removed, that is condemnable and highly reprehensible,” he advised Dobluis.  —BRP (FREEMAN)