Daven Tamayo

BFP probes viral looting video during Landers fire, says suspects were fire volunteers

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has launched a formal investigation into a viral video showing individuals allegedly looting grocery items while a fire was being extinguished at a Landers Superstore in Barangay Pasong Putik in Quezon City on January 28.Authorities stressed that the people involved were not issued official BFP protective equipment and may be fire volunteers.Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo, chief of the BFP Public Information Service, said the bureau immediately ordered a fact-finding probe after the video circulated widely on social media. The investigation, which began Wednesday, is expected to yield results within 48 hours.“We are hoping to have a reply from the fact-finding team by 48 hours since yesterday. Kung ano&#x27;ng grupo po &#x27;yon belong. Basta on our end, we can categorically say na wala kaming issued any BFP PPE (personal protective equipment) na gano’ng klase,” said Arroyo.However, he clarified that the BFP has yet to identify the group involved, noting that the individuals only volunteer and are not directly affiliated with the BFP, though no organization has been officially confirmed.Despite these initial indicators, Arroyo emphasized that the BFP is not yet ruling out any possibility of involvement by its own personnel until the investigation is completed.He explained that official BFP firefighters are easily identifiable because their PPE bears markings both in front and at the back.If the individuals are proven to be unaffiliated with the bureau, the BFP said it is ready to assist Landers management in filing criminal charges, which may include qualified theft.“Ang pwede natin isampa doon dahil &#x27;yon po ay talagang taking undue advantage during the fire incident, ay pwedeng hanggang sa qualified theft actually, hindi lang simple theft. So, depende rin po kung makikipag-ugnayan ang management,” he said.On the other hand, if any BFP personnel are found to be involved, Arroyo said the bureau itself would immediately file administrative cases for grave misconduct, separate from any criminal charges.“Kung BFP [ang sangkot], kami po mismo ang magsasampa ng administrative case at grave misconduct, aside from the criminal charges,” Arroyo stated.As part of its response, the BFP said it is revisiting provisions of Republic Act No. 9514, or the Fire Code of the Philippines, including possible sanctions such as barring identified violators or groups from participating in fire response activities while an investigation is ongoing.“During the conduct of investigation ay sinabi namin kung ma-identify na agad &#x27;yong grupo, na i-grounded muna from any response sa mga mangyayaring sunog habang isinasagawa &#x27;yong imbestigasyon,” he said.Meanwhile, the cause of the Landers fire remains under investigation. Arroyo said initial observations placed the fire’s origin near the middle of the store.“Kung saan nagsimula, under investigation pa. Dahil pagdating ng mga fire responder natin doon, ay napansin nila gawing gitna. Kaya mabilis ang pagkalat ng sunog dahil nga &#x27;yong mga content doon ay mga grocery item, may mga plastic doon and other flammable and combustible liquid din, iyong mga chemical din, kaya mabilis ang pagkalat hanggang nakarating sa mga bodega,” he explained.Firefighters initially had difficulty entering the site due to thick smoke and toxic gases produced by burning grocery items, plastics, and chemicals, forcing responders to use self-contained breathing apparatuses.Arroyo said determining the exact cause will involve laboratory testing of debris, electrical wires, and other materials, as well as reviewing possible CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has launched a formal investigation into a viral video showing individuals allegedly looting grocery items while a fire was being extinguished at a Landers Superstore on January 28.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has launched a formal investigation into a viral video showing individuals allegedly looting grocery items while a fire was being extinguished at a Landers Superstore on January 28.