Novaliches fire scandal: Volunteer firefighter speaks out on viral vid amidst looting probe
- A volunteer firefighter known as "Kwatro" admitted to taking liquor from a fire-gutted QC supermarket but claimed he had BFP permission
- DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has ordered a full investigation, stating that those involved in looting will face charges and dismissal
- The BFP clarified that the suspects were not wearing official uniforms, but they are still tracing which of the 30 volunteer groups they belong to
- Legitimate fire volunteer groups are pleading with the public not to generalize the entire service following the viral "looting" video
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A volunteer firefighter at the center of a viral looting video has broken his silence, claiming that his actions during the aftermath of a massive supermarket fire in Quezon City were authorized by official personnel.
Source: UGC
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, has sparked a firestorm of criticism and prompted an immediate investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The individual, identifying himself only as "Kwatro," admitted in a televised interview on Thursday that he was the person seen on camera retrieving bottles of liquor from the debris of the razed Landers Superstore in Barangay Pasong Putik.
However, he defended his actions by stating he had received a "go-signal" from a BFP officer on the scene.
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"Nung lumapit na kami sa loob, kumakain na po kasi yung ibang mga opisyal na ‘yun," Kwatro explained in Filipino. "Kaya nung sinabi na ‘kumuha na kayo doon’ at ‘mag-ingat lang kayo’, ayun lang ang sabi sa amin."
He further alleged that higher-ranking personnel had already taken items before the volunteers arrived and noted that they consumed the alcohol on-site while "exchanging pleasantries" with BFP members who were snacking on pistachios.
Despite Kwatro’s claims, the BFP has maintained a firm stance against looting. BFP spokesperson Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo clarified that the individuals in the video were not wearing standard-issue government gear, marking them as volunteers rather than regular BFP employees.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has also weighed in, ordering a swift probe and warning that any personnel—regular or volunteer—found guilty of theft will face immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution.
The BFP is currently cross-referencing the incident command logs, which recorded nearly 30 volunteer groups responding to the fifth-alarm blaze.
Officials warned that involved volunteer groups face the permanent revocation of their Certificates of Competency.
The scandal has caused significant distress within the volunteer firefighting community. Larry Salas, chief of the Pandacan Fire and Rescue Volunteer, urged the public not to generalize all volunteers based on the actions of a few.
"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," Salas stated, noting that "Kwatro" chose to speak out specifically to clear the names of his colleagues who were not involved.
As the BFP fact-finding team nears its 48-hour deadline for initial results, the supermarket management retains the right to file qualified theft charges against those caught on tape.
In other news, two young students, aged 13 and 14, lost their lives on Monday morning after their motorcycle collided with a delivery truck in Barangay Potohan, Tubigon. Investigators noted the siblings were traveling at high speed, allegedly attempting to reach their school in time for a major exam and to settle tuition fees. The accident occurred when the motorcycle swerved to bypass a tricycle, placing the minors directly in the path of an oncoming heavy vehicle. Local police emphasized that neither victim was equipped with a protective helmet at the time of the impact, contributing to the severity of the trauma.
Still in other news, a 27-year-old woman was killed in her sleep on Tuesday after her husband allegedly launched a knife attack inside their home in Davao City. The suspect reportedly admitted to police that he was provoked by private messages he discovered on his wife’s Facebook account earlier that night. The victim’s mother sustained several injuries while heroically trying to stop the assault and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Neighborhood records and local leaders indicate the suspect had a documented history of substance abuse and was frequently involved in local disturbances.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
