Tom to fine all firemen over 'looting' claims

Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday said he will not hesitate to impose fines against all personnel of the City Fire Department if the ongoing investigation proves that some of them have been "looting" the items of fire victims, as earlier claimed.

"That is putting the entire fire department in a bad name. If it shows that there was wrongdoing, we will fine the entire department," Osmeña told reporters in his regular press conference at the City Hall yesterday.

The mayor said this matter must be looked into seriously because the wrongdoing of one fireman would reflect the image of the entire fire department.

"What they do affects everyone. I will fine them, let's say P50 each, or any amount. By doing so, all of them should be careful not to commit any illegal activity," he said.

The issue arose after a fire hit Berdon Enterprises, owned by Bercedes Berdon, on corner Macopa and Sabellano Streets in barangay Quiot-Pardo the other day.

Timothy John Galleto, one of the fire victims and grandson of Berdon, claimed that he saw some responding firemen enter his bedroom and allegedly stole cash and valuables.

Galleto, however, have not lodged a formal complaint yet at the fire department as of yesterday afternoon but an investigation was already conducted.

Senior Fire Officer-3 Allan Arciaga, who has been doing the investigation, already identified the firemen who were tagged as the alleged culprits.

But Arciaga said the two firemen have categorically denied the accusation for it was impossible for them to steal items there because they were conducting the so-called overhauling process in the area.

Arciaga said that during the overhauling, it is normal for a fireman to touch some things to ensure that nothing could be a threat to ignite another blaze.

Arciaga said that when Galleto accused one of the firemen of putting something inside the latter's pants, the fireman even voluntarily told Galleto to frisk him.

But Galleto refused and warned instead, "It's okay, will just file a complaint later." - Mitchelle P. Calipayan