BFP-7 head seeks relief of fire chief

CEBU, Philippines -  Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) -7 Regional Director Maria Luisa Hadjula is going to recommend the relief of Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar while an investigation into the death of three people in the blaze that hit Barangay Pardo the other weekend is ongoing.

Hadjula will submit her recommendation to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

She said that she cannot just relieve people in Comar’s position at her level and has to do it through the DILG.

“With my level (as regional director) di ko pwede ma-shootan og order si Comar, but pwede akong mag-recommend. Dapat talaga i-relieve ko siya kaya lang di pwede kasi pwede akong ma- question ni Comar,” (…I cannot shoot an order to Comar, but I can recommend. I should have already relieved him, but I cannot as he can question it) she told The FREEMAN. 

Hadjula clarified that her recommendation to relieve Comar is simply because of the investigation BFP-7 is conducting on the incident.

“This is not harassment but a lawful act,” she assured.

She is planning to submit her recommendation to DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo within the week.  

In fact, Hadjula has also relieved Lapu-Lapu City Fire Station Officer-in-Charge Victor Vibares last March 15 for the death of two people in a blaze at Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City on March 12.

Vibares relief took effect only last Saturday.

He was replaced by Supt. Oscar Mayol. 

Investigation

Hadjula said two teams are currently investigating the fire incidents in Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City. “Ayoko na mamatayan dito sa region seven,” Hadjula said.

The purpose of the investigation is to ascertain whether or not Comar and Vibares had lapses in their fire fighting operations.

For Vibares case, he will still be allowed to return to his post if the outcome of the bureau’s investigation proves favorable to him.

Comar will also share the same fate with Vibares if DILG approves Hadjula’s request for his relief. 

In a separate interview, Comar refused to comment on Hadjula’s move.

“I have the right to remain silent and to choose my own counsel.”

Deaths

Last March 11 at Sitio Lusimba, Barangay Pardo, Esperanza Aberion, 75; Rosalie Tagacanao, 35; and Rafael Dolalia, 5, died when they failed to escape the raging inferno.

Three days later in Lapu-Lapu City, former assistant to the chief of the Cebu City Medical Center, Bella Veloso, 76, and her daughter Jewel, 32, died in an early morning blaze which gutted their two story house at Street, Phase 1, Camella Homes, Barangay Pajac.

Accusations

On September last year, Hadjula had accused Comar of having illegal activities after exposing alleged anomalies in BFP-7.

 Comar was accused of dishonesty and falsification after allegedly claiming reimbursements for the repair and maintenance of unserviceable fire trucks. Hadjula further accused Comar of committing serious dishonesty.

Fire drill

The Cebu Provincial Police Office will hold a fire drill next week upon the directive of the Police Regional Office-7. 

The fire drill was supposed to be held yesterday, but was reset due to the awarding ceremony that was held after the flag raising ceremony.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, told The FREEMAN they are required to have a fire safety inspection and fire drill yearly.

“Last year during the inspection ang BFP naa ra’y minor nga gipausab sa connections sa wirings sa ubos,” Comendador said.

Initial inspection of the BFP revealed that the cabinets near the Provincial Operation and Plans Branch should not be on the hallway to the fire exit.

Comar also said they are not yet done with the overall inspection of the headquarters and once they will be done, the schedule for a fire drill will be next. —with Ria Mae Booc/NLQ (FREEMAN)