TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE — Two personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Tagum City Central Fire Station have been relieved from their posts following an incident in which a responding fire truck reportedly failed to discharge water during a residential fire in Barangay San Miguel last Saturday, November 1.
The BFP Regional Office XI confirmed the relief of the two personnel, which took effect on November 3, 2026, following an investigation into the equipment failure and the circumstances surrounding the fire response.
City Fire Marshal FCINSP Esequiel M. Tabon earlier confirmed that the regional office had already issued a decision on the matter, with the formal implementation initially awaiting the necessary documentation. Subsequent information from the regional office confirmed that the two personnel had been relieved.
Initial findings of the BFP investigation indicated that the responding firefighters were caught off guard when no water came out of the fire hose. The problem was reportedly traced to a malfunctioning water pump in the fire truck, rendering the equipment unable to discharge water when it was needed.
The incident occurred at Purok 3-D, Abatayo, Barangay San Miguel, where a residential fire reportedly affected three families.
A video circulated on social media by a resident showed the fire truck at the scene with no water flowing from its hose. The footage triggered criticism and questions from residents about the operational readiness and maintenance of firefighting equipment, particularly during emergencies when delays can worsen damage to properties and put lives at risk.
Aside from the reported water pump malfunction, another factor reportedly considered in the decision to relieve the two personnel was the alleged delay in returning the fire truck to the station after the incident. The BFP has yet to disclose the complete findings and specific administrative grounds behind the decision.
Tabon explained that personnel were immediately dispatched after the fire was reported, despite the deployment of some fire trucks to cemeteries across Tagum City in preparation for Undas 2026. He said they did not anticipate that the responding vehicle would encounter such a technical problem.
The incident drew widespread negative reactions online, with some residents questioning whether the affected house and its belongings could have been saved had the fire truck’s pumping system been functioning properly.
While the BFP continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, the case has raised broader concerns about the regular inspection, preventive maintenance and operational testing of emergency response vehicles.
The relief of the two personnel marks an administrative action following the incident, but questions remain about the extent of the equipment failure, the maintenance history of the fire truck and the measures being implemented to prevent a similar occurrence.
For residents, the incident underscores the importance of ensuring that fire trucks are fully operational before deployment. In emergencies, a responding vehicle must not only arrive at the scene promptly but must also have functioning equipment capable of carrying out its primary purpose.
The BFP Tagum City has said it is continuing to look into the sudden water pump malfunction to help prevent a recurrence.