20190606 BARMM education exec to look into alleged arson in schoolhouse fire
Philippines Jun 05 2019 “Schools”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
BARMM education exec to look into alleged arson in schoolhouse fire
Updated: 2019–06–07
COTABATO CITY —The Education Minister of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao wants to dig deeper into the alleged “intentional torching” of four-classroom schoolhouse in Pageda, Talitay, Maguindanao.
BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal said he will send his team to gather more information on alleged reports of arson.
In a text message he said, “Yes we will conduct an investigation. Politics behind.”
Grudge rooted in political rivalry in the recently conducted mid-term election had led to a firefight that displaced residents in the area shortly after the proclamation of winners in the municipal polls.
Local authorities reported, the fire destroyed the Pageda elementary school between 2pm to 3pm last Thursday, June 6.
A report from the local fire bureau and the local police did not indicate “arson” as possible cause of the fire. But school district supervisor Edris Kasan in a local radio report, said “armed men were seen roaming the area” before the fire broke out.
The school house was built by the military personnel as part of peace-building process years back.
Faulty wiring
A follow-up report received by the Maguindanao Police indicated that a faulty wiring could have sparked the fire, said Police Colonel Ronald Briones.
“We are still waiting to the report submitted by the Bureau of Fire also to coincide with our report”, the provincial police director said.
However, he said the police will also look into the arson angle.
Web Source: The Nation