Old forest reserve office burned down

CEBU, Philippines - The old administration building of the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve in Barangay Buhisan burned down late evening last Thursday.

Investigators suspect arson to be the cause after a man was seen near the building before it turned into flames. Witnesses said a man was roaming around the abandoned administrative building shortly before the incident around 11pm.

Residents near the area quickly responded to the incident, initially throwing water into the fire while waiting for personnel from the Cebu City Fire Station. Unfortunately, the fire razed the building down even before the firemen could arrive.

DENR-7 Protected Area Superintendent Ariel Rica told The Freeman that the building was used for the watershed reforestation project, but was abandoned in the 1980’s and only served as a storage room for old records.

Rica said the building was actually set for demolition to give way to the construction of a new office this year, which is being funded by the Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water.

Investigators of Punta Princesa Police Station are looking into allegations that a certain Jerry “Unggor” Candis might be behind the incident. Candis’ name cropped up after he threatened to burn his older sister’s house morning on that day. (FREEMAN)