Gillamac wants thorough probe into police station fire

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director, Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, wants the fire that burned the Danao City Police Station investigated thoroughly following reports that service firearms were lost in the blaze.

Gillamac said he also wants any policeman who will make such report undergo a “lie detector test,” if only to ensure that the firearms supposedly lost will not end up in the hands of criminals. 

A three-man panel from the Provincial Intelligence Branch, Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch and Supply Section will investigate the incident.

Gillamac assured that the incident will not affect the service of the Danao Police whose personnel will be housed temporarily at a substation.

Records and supplies were lost in the fire that broke past 9 p.m. last Saturday, which took firefighters six hours to put out.

Two buildings occupied by at least seven offices, including the police station and its stockade, were destroyed. Nineteen detainees at the police station had to be evacuated.

The fire allegedly originated at the Parole and Probation Office located at the second floor of the old City Hall building.

Gillamac said Danao Mayor Ramonito Durano has agreed to let the city police occupy a building that the city is currently constructing once the structure is complete.   

Regional Police Director Prudencio Tom Bañas said there is a budget intended for the construction of police stations in the region and he will be talking with the provincial police director of the police station in Danao needs help.

At the Capitol, Governor Hilario Davide III urged local government units to inspect the condition of their offices regularly to avoid a fire like the one that hit the Danao City Police Station.

Investigators eye electrical misuse or a malfunctioning electrical appliance as possible cause of the fire.

“Dapat unta maayo ang insulation diha, ang wiring.  Kinahanglan kanang mga karaan nga opisina check upon unta pod to avoid this kind of accident,” Davide said, citing as an example the regular inspection conducted by the Provincial Engineering Office and the Provincial General Services on buildings at the Capitol compound.

“Nag-renovate pod ta sa mga offices karon… now and then, we call the attention of the provincial engineer and PGSO to check on the conditions of the offices, the wiring and plumbing kay karaan na ra ba pod ang mga pipes diri. Preventive maintenance,” Davide said.

Davide has requested Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Noel Gillamac for a copy of the investigation into the fire so that Capitol can extend the necessary help.

“I told Mr. Gillamac nga just let us know where the province can help. Sa pagpatukod ba but not the entire construction kay I understand the city government of Danao is contemplating on assisting the police unit there. That is also part sa trabaho sa province. We have to support to police organization,” Davide said.  (FREEMAN)