ARSON CHARGES. Police and Bureau of Fire personnel file a complaint of destructive arson against live-in partners Rogen Monceda and Luisa Mateo at the City Prosecutor's Office in Dumaguete City on Thursday (Feb. 13, 2020). The case is in relation to a fire that razed some 55 houses in Barangay Calindagan last Feb. 12, 2020. (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Police and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel here have filed a criminal complaint of destructive arson against a live-in couple in relation to a fire incident early Wednesday that razed at least 55 houses in Purok Gumamela, Sitio Canday-ong in Barangay Calindagan here.
The complaint was filed late Thursday afternoon before the City Prosecutor’s Office against respondents Rogen Monceda and Luisa Mateo, both of legal age and residents of the said area.
The complainant was identified as Regina Torres Belandres, of legal age, and also a resident of the same place.
In an interview, case officer, Fire Officer 1 John Rey Niño Aguilar, said that destructive arson was the closest criminal charge considered by fire probers based on the testimonies of Belandres and other witnesses.
The complaint sheet specifically stated a violation of Sec. 2 (7) of Presidential Decree 1613 (Amending the Law on Arson) or destructive arson, “the highest possible (complaint) that we can file against them” because of “malicious intent” to start a fire, he added.
Belandres, who resided in the same house with the two suspects, along with a few others, told police and fire probers earlier that Monceda and Mateo quarreled just before the fire broke out around 2 a.m.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Belandres said Monceda had repeatedly warned in the past months about setting their house on fire every time he and his partner had a fight.
In fact, there was an incident last December where police responded to a call for assistance at the same house, she said and found a container of kerosene.
Other witnesses corroborated the statement of Belandres.
The couple is now detained at the Dumaguete City Police Station.
Meanwhile, the fire-affected families are now temporarily staying at the gymnasium of the Dumaguete City High School also in Barangay Calindagan, with relief aid being provided by the city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
The total number of families and individuals displaced by the fire has yet to be finalized as evaluation and assessment continues. (PNA)
