Robredo calls for investigation of Cagayan fire

After the fire marshall in Tuguegarao was relieved over the hotel fire that killed 16 persons over the weekend, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo on Monday called for an investigation of the incident. “We would like to know if there was negligence on the part of the fire department of the city. We will find out if firefighters did the appropriate response," said Robredo in a statement issued on Monday. He said the anti-arson task force of the central office of the BFP would investigate the fatal incident. According to Fire Chief Superintendent Rolando Bandilla Jr., Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief, said Fire Chief Inspector Neil Caranguian, Tuguegarao city fire marshal, was relieved from duty to prevent him from influencing the investigation. Caranguian would be replaced in an acting capacity by Fire Superintendent Jesus Fernandez, the provincial fire marshal of Cagayan. The fire that razed Bed and Breakfast Pension House on Sunday resulted in the death of 16 people, including 10 nursing graduates who were about to take licensure exam in the city. Robredo noted that the pension house did not have valid fire safety inspection certificate but had a mayor's permit. Section 7 Article A of Republic Act 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 states that “fire safety inspection shall be conducted by the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative as prerequisite to the grants of permits and/or licenses by local governments and other government agencies concerned." In a memorandum circular released on Monday, Robredo reminded local government officials and fire marshals nationwide about the need to comply to the Fire Code. Officials who would fail to follow the code could face administrative and criminal charges including violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and gross deriliction of duty. Fire victims At least 16 people were killed, including 10 nursing graduates and six relatives of the owners of the hotel. The 10 nursing graduates were identified as: Richard Gonzales; Francis Caranabas; Marlon Viernes; Henderson Leodil; Jefferson Lopez; Ryan James Malaki; Romualdo Respicio; Nelmar Galapia, Jose Julius Gonzales, and Jerome Saet. The others who were killed in the fire reportedly included the children and grandchildren of the owners of the pension house, Pete and Annacid Fontanilla. The couple were among those who were injured in the incident. – VVP, GMANews.TV