The Heroic Spirit-Savers of Landers: When the Flames Die, the Looting Begins

Remulla vs. the Liquor Looters: When Small Thieves Make Big Headlines

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — January 31, 2026

IN THE Philippines—a nation perpetually tested by disasters and undermined by opportunism—a massive fire ravaged the Landers Superstore in Quezon City’s Barangay Pasong Putik on January 28, 2026. Amid the ruins, volunteer firefighters, entrusted with public safety, were caught on video pocketing intact bottles of premium liquor. This was no act of salvage amid chaos; it was calculated theft, captured clearly in a viral video posted by netizen Johnny Gaw Yu on Facebook.

Far from isolated misconduct, the incident exposes a deeper malaise: those dispatched to protect lives and property treating disaster scenes as personal opportunity. As reported in detail by The Philippine Star, the footage shows five individuals in volunteer uniforms casually looting while mopping-up operations continued.

***“Heroes by hose, hoarders by choice—proof that courage comes 80-proof.”***

The Fire-Looters: Volunteers or Opportunists in Uniform?

These individuals are not regular personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) but volunteer auxiliaries operating under its umbrella. Their claimed defense—a verbal “go-signal” from a supposed BFP officer—holds no water. In a country where informal permissions have long excused grave abuses, such excuses collapse under scrutiny.

Volunteers may not be salaried public officers, but they perform public functions during emergencies, placing them within reach of criminal liability. The public’s shattered trust is justified: when responders treat private property as loot, the distinction between guardian and thief disappears.

Secretary Jonvic Remulla: Swift Justice or Selective Outrage?

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla reacted with public fury, declaring: “Most probably, they will be fired. We will file cases against them.” The speed is notable—yet questionable.

Remulla oversees a BFP he has previously branded the “most corrupt” agency under the DILG, plagued by multimillion-peso procurement scandals. His decisive stance here contrasts sharply with the protracted handling of larger graft cases within his jurisdiction, including flood-control controversies tied to influential figures. Premature pronouncements of dismissal risk prejudging facts and undermining due process before formal identification and hearings.

The Law: Clear Liability on Video

The case is legally straightforward. Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) defines theft as the taking of personal property belonging to another with intent to gain and without consent. All elements are satisfied: intact bottles deliberately removed from Landers’ premises without permission.

Penalties, as adjusted by Republic Act No. 10951, range from prisión correccional to higher degrees if qualified under Article 310 (RPC) for abuse of confidence. Prosecutors could reasonably extend charges under Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) if volunteers are deemed to have acted under color of public function.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in People v. Macabando, G.R. No. 188708 (July 31, 2013) affirms that circumstantial evidence—here, high-definition video—can establish an unbroken chain of culpability.

The procedural path is familiar: BFP internal investigation, referral to the Quezon City Prosecutor, potential filing in the Metropolitan Trial Court—and the usual risks of delay, compromised evidence, or quiet resolution.

Weighing Remulla’s Response

In favor:

He fulfills his supervisory mandate and signals zero tolerance.
Public outrage over a viral scandal demands visible action.
It aligns with efforts to address documented BFP corruption.

Against:

The focus on low-level volunteers distracts from systemic, high-value graft.
Preemptive declarations threaten due process.
Selective severity—harsh on small offenders, lenient on the powerful—undermines credibility.

Probable Outcomes (Realistic Assessment)

Full criminal conviction and dismissal (20% likelihood): The video evidence is overwhelming.
Administrative sanctions only, charges dropped (50%): “Misunderstanding,” restitution, certificate revocation.
Amicable settlement (25%): Landers waives claims; matter fades quietly.
Meaningful reform (5%): Enhanced oversight, training, or equipment standards.

Broader Damage and Urgent Reforms

The incident erodes faith in first responders more than any fire could, discourages genuine volunteerism, and reinforces cynicism: uniforms often appear to confer impunity—or a price. Yet low-ranking volunteers face ruin over liquor bottles while billion-peso grafters enjoy prolonged “due process.”

A transparent investigation must identify not only the looters but any supervising officer who issued or tolerated improper directives. Prosecution should test the application of anti-graft laws to misconduct under color of authority. Practical reforms—clearer command protocols, mandatory training, and body cameras for responders entering private property—are long overdue.

When petty looting by volunteers garners swift outrage while grand theft of public funds escapes accountability, the question is unavoidable: who, exactly, keeps looting the nation—and why do we continue to tolerate it?

Until the next fire sale on public trust, keep your eyes on the uniforms—and your wallets locked tight.

— Barok,

signing off from the cave where the smoke never clears.