Police probe fire in Mindoro construction firm

SAN PEDRO CITY – Police are investigating the cause of the fire that broke out inside the compound of a construction company engaged in river dredging in Occidental Mindoro.

Sr. Supt. Romie Estepa, the police director of Occidental Mindoro said on Thursday that the incident happened around 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Bluemax Tradelink Inc. in Barangay (village) Malawaan, Rizal town.

He said it was not clear yet whether there was an explosion, as some residents told the Inquirer, since reports reaching his office only indicated there was a fire.

“Our police are still in the area right now investigating. But the initial report was that there was a fire that damaged a generator,” Estepa said in a phone interview.

In 2016, Bluemax announced its partnership with the provincial government to desilt the Lumintao River as a flood mitigation project.

Aside from dredging, the company is also engaged in the export of sand.

Communities in Malawaan, however, have opposed the project saying it would damage the farmlands.

Estepa said they are also verifying the possibility that it was an attack done by members of the New People’s Army against the company.

The military has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.       /kga