Firefighter who allegedly stole liquor in QC supermarket claims getting go-signal from BFP member

One of the firefighters in the viral video claimed he received a go-signal from a member of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to get items from the burned down supermarket in Quezon City. 

According to Vonne Aquino’s exclusive report in “Saksi” on Thursday, fire volunteer “Kwatro” admitted that he was one of those who stole bottles of liquor from the establishment. 

“‘Nung lumapit na kami sa loob, kumakain na po kasi yung ibang mga opisyal na ‘yun. Kaya nung sinabi na ‘kumuha na kayo doon’ at ‘mag-ingat lang kayo’, ayun lang ang sabi sa amin,” he said. 

(When we approached the interior, other officials were already eating. So when they said, 'help yourselves over there' and 'just be careful,' that’s what they told us.) \

“Hindi naman po kami basta papasok doon ng wala ring go-signal o sinabing ganoong scenario.” 

(We wouldn't simply barge inside without a green light or a directive regarding that scenario.) 

But “Kwatro” said he does not know the identity of the BFP personnel who gave them permission. 

“Actually bago pa kami makakuha, marami na pong personnel na mas mataas sa amin doon ang nakakuha na, bago pa ang volunteer,” he said. 

(Actually, before we could even secure anything, many personnel of higher rank than us had already helped themselves before the volunteers did.) 

The fire volunteer added they immediately consumed the bottles of liquor at the scene of the incident. 

“Nagkatuwaan lang po kami nung BFP na ‘yun, kasi kumakain sila ng pistachio,” said “Kwatro.” 

(We were just exchanging pleasantries with those BFP [personnel] because they were snacking on pistachio nuts.) 

“Kwatro” decided to come forward after his photo surfaced on social media and to clear the name of legitimate fire volunteers. 

“Wala po talagang kinalaman ‘yung ibang volunteers dito o hindi ko po sila kasama,” he said. 

(The other volunteers truly have no involvement in this, nor was I in their company.) 

Meanwhile, the Pandacan Fire and Rescue Volunteer which “Kwatro” reached out to, asked the public not to generalize all legitimate fire volunteers following the viral video. 

“Sana huwag nating lahatin…Even kaming mga totoong volunteers, marami po kami, hindi po namin alam kung yung mga taong sangkot sa loob ay volunteers po ba talaga,” said  Pandacan Fire and Rescue Volunteer chief Larry Salas.

(I hope we don't generalize... Even us legitimate volunteers, there are many of us, we cannot even ascertain if the individuals involved inside were truly actual volunteers.) 

The BFP is already conducting a fact-finding investigation. It added that administrative and criminal charges could be filed against firefighters who would be found guilty of looting. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News