3 dead, 4 hurt in Davao fire truck mishap

MANILA, Philippines - Three firefighters were killed and four others were injured when the fire truck they were riding lost its brakes and rolled over in Tarragona, Davao Oriental on Tuesday.

Fire Officer 3 Ludivico Ponce and Fire Officers 2 Arnel Jon Angsinco and Nico Corambao of the Mati City fire department died at the scene.

Initial investigation showed that the fire truck (SGX-639) was on its way to the municipality of Manay when the accident occurred in Purok Tapul, Barangay Tomoaong at 1:30 p.m.

 “The BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) will assist their families to get their benefits. They died while answering the call of duty and we want to show our support for them,” BFP spokesman Superintendent Renato Marcial said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has ordered an investigation into the incident.

“We sympathize with the families left behind by the three firemen. We also thank them for their dedication to their sworn duty. We will provide all the possible support for them and their families,” Roxas said.

He assured the public that the DILG would provide every locality with fire trucks and other firefighting equipment.

Roxas said the BFP would also purchase 469 fire trucks to be distributed all over the country. The P2.5-billion budget for the project is considered the single biggest purchase of the government.

 “By the end of 2015 when all the fire trucks are delivered, you will be no more than 12 kilometers away from the nearest fire truck,” Roxas said. “We want to place our fire trucks at the mid point. We want to maximize the coverage of our fire trucks.” – With Edith Regalado