By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod City has condemned the spread of false emergency calls after firefighters were dispatched to a supposed residential fire that turned out to be a hoax, while the same address was also allegedly used for fraudulent food delivery orders.
In a press statement yesterday, BFP-Bacolod Fire Marshal Supt. Jenny Mae Masip said the fire station received information from the Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade regarding a reported residential fire at Villa Angela Subdivision in Barangay Villamonte at 8:40 p.m. on Monday, June 8.
Following standard emergency response procedures, firefighters immediately responded to the area to verify the report.
However, upon arrival and after conducting a thorough assessment, responding personnel confirmed that no fire had occurred and declared the report a false alarm.
Authorities also gathered information indicating that the same address had allegedly been used to place fraudulent food delivery orders, which victimized six delivery riders, causing inconvenience, possible financial losses and unnecessary exposure of delivery personnel to potential risks.
Masip emphasized that making false emergency reports is a serious offense because it diverts firefighters, equipment and other emergency resources from legitimate incidents where lives and properties may be at risk.
She warned that individuals responsible for intentionally making false emergency reports may face liability under applicable Philippine laws covering public alarm, unlawful use of communication facilities, obstruction of public services and other related offenses, subject to investigation by the proper authorities.
Those behind fraudulent food delivery orders may also face possible civil and criminal liabilities, including allegations of fraud, deceit or causing financial damage to affected parties.
The city fire station disclosed that cellphone number 09074387599, allegedly used in making the false report, has been recorded by the BFP and may be subjected to further investigation by the appropriate authorities.
The BFP urged the public to act responsibly and refrain from making prank emergency calls or fake transactions, stressing that such acts waste public resources and could delay assistance to people facing real emergencies./CCJ, WDJ