BFP-11 mulls charges vs. man for interfering in fire operation

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Region 11 is mulling charges against a man for interfering and even assaulting its personnel during a fire operation Sunday (June 2) in Barangay Ilang, Tibungco, this city.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Ramil Gillado, Investigation Section chief of BFP-11, identified Wednesday the culprit as Dennis Ompao, a resident in the area.

Gillado said Ompao, who falsely claimed to be a government official, was identified through the help of barangay officials.

“We are bent on filing the case against Ompao," said Gillado during the AFP-PNP press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Gillado said Ompao tried to force the BFP driver to release the water even if the firemen were still trying to enter a small footbridge in the area.

“We were careful because our men were not still positioned. If we do what that person instructed the driver, there was a danger the firemen will fall into the water. It would even cause more trouble,” Gillado pointed out.

Gillado said Ompao hit the BFP driver on the chest when the latter refused to do so. He added that the driver did not react because it would affect the firefighting operation.

‘We were there to save lives. We know what to do in any fire incident,” Gillado said.

Gillado said that Ompao may have wanted to protect his house, although it was not among the 24 houses gutted down by the fire caused by faulty electrical wire. (PNA)