Silay cop killed in Christmas Day fire

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A Christmas Day celebration turned tragic when a policemen died after he was trapped inside a burning house at Barangay San Fernando, Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Dec 25, 2021.

The fatality was identified as Police Corporal Jobert Diasanta, 36, of Barangay Matab-ang, who was assigned to Silay City Police Station.

Police Major Jigger Gimeno, city police chief, said Diasanta got off from work and decided to sleep at his parents’ house where the fire erupted around 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

Diasanta’s younger brother, who was sleeping in another room tried to save his elder brother but he failed because the fire was already out of control, Gimeno said.

“Grabe na aso (smoke) so wala niya na nasalbar magulang niya,” the police chief added.

Gimeno said that Diasanta’s brother was able to get out of the house because his room was near the main door, while their parents were not home as they attended mass.

The blaze destroyed the house made of mixed concrete and light materials, while the cop’s issued firearm was recovered.

Gimeno said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is looking into an unattended lighted candle as possible cause of fire, which was quelled an hour later.

Gimeno said Barangay San Fernando still has no electricity due to the recent devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette.

The cop’s body underwent autopsy to determine the cause of his death.

Gimeno said that Diasanta was the breadwinner of his family.