Fire truck used to fill swimming pool; Taytay fire chief relieved

THE fire chief of Taytay, Rizal and three of his men were relieved pending the results of a probe on a fire truck allegedly used to fill a private swimming pool in the town recently.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) spokesperson Supt. Annalee Atienza said the four were transferred to other fire stations in Rizal while the probe is being held by investigators from the BFP Calabarzon.

“The fire chief and three other BFP personnel (in Taytay) were relieved. That’s the initial action taken while the investigation is ongoing,” said Atienza.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. ordered the probe last Friday after seeing on social media pictures of the town’s fire truck being used to fill a private swimming pool in Maharlika Village, Taytay.

Abalos ordered BFP chief Director Louie Puracan to conduct the probe to determine the veracity of the incident.

Abalos said the BFP personnel involved in the “unscrupulous act” should be identified and relieved, if warranted, from their posts pending the investigation.

Atienza declined to name the four who had been relieved. She said the fire chief was a Senior Fire Inspector while the three others were Fire Officers 3 and 1.

“Yes, it did happen, we saw it in the (Facebook) post,” said Atienza, referring to the incident that occurred last August 15.

“What we are trying to find out is who gave the authority and who made the request. We are also waiting for the explanation of the personnel (involved),” said Atienza.

Asked if the probe will lead to the possible dismissal from the service of the four personnel, Atienza said: “That depends on the (recommendation) of our internal affairs (office).”

Atienza said the fire bureau will not tolerate the wrongdoing of its personnel.