Arson filed vs man behind Intramuros fire
Published Feb 28, 2026 12:27 pm
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Updated Feb 28, 2026 04:55 pm
The burned site at Maisan Compound in Intramuros, Manila, is seen on Feb. 27 following the deadly fire that hit the area days earlier.
An arson case has been filed against the suspect, an ex-convict with a history of drug use, after a fire tore through a residential area in Intramuros, barangay officials said.
Barangay 655 Chairman Jhonny “Nonoy” Yacub told Manila Bulletin on Friday, Feb. 27, that an arson case has been filed against the suspect after findings by the Bureau of Fire Protection showed the blaze was deliberately set.
“Hindi homicide. Ang sinampa ng Bureau of Fire ay arson, kasi talagang intentional ang nangyari (It’s not homicide. The case filed by the Bureau of Fire is arson, because what happened was clearly intentional),” the chairman said.
The fire ocurred on Feb. 25, which displaced hundreds of families and destroyed homes, was allegedly sparked by jealousy.
The suspect, identified as alias Burnok, was reportedly angry that his wife had left him for another man.
Witnesses claimed that the suspect’s anger toward his former wife and her current partner drove him to set his house on fire with gasoline, devastating the community.
He recalled the suspect’s son telling him he wished he could have stopped his father before things went so far.
“Sabi ng anak niya sa akin, ‘Sir, kung alam ko lang na aabot sa ganito ang gagawin ng tatay ko, sana pinigilan ko na’ (His child told me, ‘Sir, if I had known my father would go this far, I would have stopped him'),” the chairman recounted.
The suspect was inquested on Friday, but the chairman said the process raised concerns among local officials.
He noted that the suspect appeared unusually casual while speaking with complainants shortly after the incident.
“Na-inquest siya kaninang umaga. Pero nakita ko, kausap niya pa ang mga complainant, nagtatawanan pa sila, parang walang nangyari (He was inquested this morning. But I saw him talking to the complainants, and they were even laughing together, as if nothing happened),” he said.
The chairman added that the suspect has a history of repeated offenses and alleged illegal drug use, describing the incident as part of a troubling pattern.
“Paulit-ulit na ’yan. Nakukulong na talaga, may illegal drugs din na involved (This keeps happening. He’s already been jailed, and illegal drugs were also involved),” he said.
Meanwhile, the suspect’s former wife and children remain near the fire site, staying in makeshift tents within the perimeter of the affected area.
With emotions still running high, local officials are now considering relocating them temporarily to prevent further conflict.
“Mas mabuti siguro na palipatin muna sila. Hindi pa nawawala ang galit ng mga tao, sariwa pa ang nangyari (It might be better to temporarily transfer them. People’s anger hasn’t subsided yet; what happened is still fresh,’ the chairman said),” the chairman said.
He added that the situation is especially difficult for the children, who are exposed to the heat and harsh conditions while living in temporary shelters.
As the case against the suspect moves forward, displaced residents continue to rely on evacuation centers, including the Dalpan Sports Complex and enclosed areas near San Agustin Church.
Several government agencies and private companies, such as Manila Bulletin, extended aid to the victim to help them recover.