OLONGAPO CITY—A fire of still undermined origin razed the old Philippine Red Cross building at the disputed Olongapo Civic Center Complex Sunday morning.
The fire started at 3 a.m. and destroyed important Red Cross files and documents that were being kept in the facility. It was put out an hour and a half later, PRC officials said.
Red Cross officials, however, suspect a possible arson since the building was unmanned and its power connection already cut off before the fire. They are also wondering why police and fire authorities were taking so long to file an official report regarding the cause of the fire.
“The fire incident to us is highly suspicious, both as to the timing and the circumstances obtaining prior to the fire,” said PRC secretary general Oscar Palabyab.
Olongapo Senior Fire Officer 2 Salvador Espares said the department has yet to complete its investigation.
The PRC building was constructed in the 1970s near the site of the former public hospital and functioned as the agency’s Blood Bank and Chapter offices before moving in to its new building on Magsaysay Avenue three years ago.
It was the only structure left standing in the complex after nearby buildings had been demolished to give way to the development project of SM Prime Holdings Inc.
“The City Government had earlier asked us to vacate the premises as it has committed that area to the SM Group,” Palabyab explained. “We have been in the premises for a long time and have taken good care of the premises ever since.”
“While we constructed a new building in Magsaysay Avenue in Olongapo City, our local chapter is still operating and using the old building for our operations. We are therefore resisting the move to relocate us to another place, which is not even ready nor available. The growing population of the city needs the space to augment the services offered by our local chapter,” he added.
Palabyab has asked Olongapo Fire Chief Director Bobby V. Baruelo to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation to dispel any doubt of possible arson.
“We are apprehensive and are at a quandary as to the circumstances surrounding this incident, and we cannot help but fear that this fire was not accidental nor due to any negligence on the part of our local chapter,” Palabyab said in his letter to the local fire chief.
He said the PRC renders assistance round-the-clock during disasters and calamities with the help of volunteers all over the country.
“It is ironic that the PRC becomes a fire victim itself as we have been a partner of the BFP in combating fires using our own fire trucks and water tankers, as well as in the transport of injured victims to hospitals with our ambulances all over the country,” said Palabyab.