Cebu cop, wife killed in blaze

DANAO CITY, Cebu, Philippines – After celebrating their wedding anniversary, a policeman and his wife slept early last Friday night to attend the Misa de Gallo the following morning.

But shortly before midnight, SPO2 Felix Matbagon and his wife Liza were killed when a fire broke out in their two-story house in Barangay Poblacion this city.

Matbagon, 54, had been on non-duty status at the Danao City police since Oct. 1 as he was preparing documents for his optional retirement effective Jan. 1, 2012, said Chief Inspector Ricky Delelis, city police chief.

The couple’s daughter, Liezel Matbagon Herminanda, 32, her husband Antonio, and their two-year-old daughter Izel were injured in the blaze.

The fire also razed the neighboring house owned by Manolo Angeles, a relative of the Matbagons, Delelis said. – Niña Sumacot/Freeman News Service