Drug suspect arrested after fire in Barangay 27

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A 49-year-old man linked to the recent fire in Barangay 27 here, which left more than 200 families homeless, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay 30 on Sunday, 10 days after the Sept. 12 blaze.

Police Lt. Adrian Mananquil, deputy commander of Police Station 6, said officers seized two grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 13,600 from the suspect, identified as “Fritz,” a known street-level individual on the barangay drug watchlist.

Authorities had been monitoring Fritz’s alleged drug activity even before the fire, according to Mananquil.

He said the suspect claimed he was staying with his live-in partner in Barangay 30.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod earlier said the fire originated from the couple’s rented house in Barangay 27 due to electrical arcing, as they had no electricity and were tapping power via an extension cord from a neighbor.

The suspect admitted his children were staying in the rented house and said he was present during the incident, but he and his partner only surfaced two days after the fire.

Drug charges are now being prepared.

Mayor Alfredo “Greg” Gasataya stated that the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and BFP are handling the investigation.

Meanwhile, the city government will begin releasing PHP 2.865 million in financial aid this week to 290 families affected by the fire.

Gasataya said the final accounting by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) showed 141 houses were totally damaged, one was partially damaged, and 148 were renters or sharers.

Owners of totally destroyed houses will receive PHP 15,000 each (PHP 2.115 million total), PHP 10,000 will be given for the partially damaged house, and PHP 5,000 each will go to the 148 renters and sharers, totaling PHP 740,000.

Gasataya said the city is coordinating with other agencies to provide further assistance, as many of the victims are economically distressed and urgently need financial help.

The city said the aid will help families purchase housing materials to rebuild their homes.

Only 124 families remain at Mabini Elementary School, designated as the evacuation center, while others are staying with relatives or have started rebuilding their homes in the barangay.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will also provide cash assistance, with PHP 30,000 for families whose homes were totally damaged, and PHP 10,000 for those with partially damaged homes, according to the mayor.

The DHSUD aid will only be given to property owners, Gasataya said.

Two nabbed in drug bust

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) also arrested two men in a separate buy-bust operation in Barangay 2 on Sunday, resulting in the seizure of 50 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 340,000.

The suspects were identified as “Jekjek,” 41, of Barangay 2, and “Charlie,” 39, of Barangay Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant CDEU chief, said Jekjek, the subject of the operation, is considered a high-value individual and is listed in the barangay anti-drug abuse council.

He was first arrested in 2019 for visiting a drug den and released on probation in 2020.

Two weeks later, he was arrested again for the same offense and was released in February 2024.

A .45-caliber pistol loaded with seven live rounds was also recovered from Jekjek.

Charlie, arrested for the first time, is tagged as a street-level individual, Legada said.

The BCPO reaffirmed its strong commitment to intensifying the anti-drug campaign and ensuring a safe and peaceful community.