JANUARY 30, 2026 — Half a billion pesos — gone in flames. That’s the staggering estimate from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) after the January 28 blaze that tore through Landers Superstore in Barangay Pasong Putik, Quezon City. It’s the kind of number that makes you pause: P500 million worth of goods, infrastructure, and livelihoods reduced to smoke. And yet, the bigger story may not just be the fire — it’s the questions that linger in its aftermath.

BFP spokesperson Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo confirmed: “Ang nangyaring sunog doon ay may estimated damage of P500 million base sa standard operational procedure namin or ‘yung aming operational manual. Pero maaaring tumaas or bumaba pa ito kung isusumite na ang affidavit of damage or loss mula sa representative or management ng nasabing supermarket.”

(The fire there has an estimated damage of P500 million based on our standard operational procedure or our operational manual. But this may increase or decrease once the affidavit of damage or loss is submitted by the supermarket’s management.)

No lives were lost, but one firefighter was injured when exploding contents struck his chest. That alone is a reminder of the risks our frontliners face. But the fire’s narrative quickly shifted when a viral video surfaced — showing individuals allegedly looting grocery items.

Arroyo clarified: “According sa nag-confess, hindi siya belong sa any volunteer group. Sila po ‘yung nagmo-motor lang na may suot na PPE at nakapasok doon sa sunog. Hindi sila affiliated sa anumang grupo kundi ay tawagin na lang natin sila parang ‘colorum’.”

(According to the one who confessed, he does not belong to any volunteer group. They were just motorcycle riders wearing PPE who entered the fire. They are not affiliated with any group, so let’s just call them ‘colorum’.)

Here’s where things get messy. A representative from Landers’ marketing office allegedly said the goods affected by the fire were “already useless.” That statement, according to Arroyo, may have triggered the looting frenzy. And if some BFP personnel were overheard saying “Kumuha na kayo ng para sa inyo (take something for yourselves),” what does that say about discipline and accountability in the middle of chaos?

When disaster strikes, Filipinos expect order, not opportunism. We expect our institutions to protect, not to blur the lines between relief and exploitation. 

Arroyo assured: “Kung mapatunayan man na mayroon BFP personnel who have been involved ay hindi namin kukunsintihin.” 

(If it is proven that any BFP personnel were involved, we will not tolerate it.)

Still, the incident forces us to ask: How secure are our disaster responses? How do we prevent “colorum” actors from sneaking into operations? And most importantly, how do we ensure that public trust doesn’t go up in smoke along with the goods?

The BFP says they’ll revisit policies, tighten PPE markings, and strengthen security. That’s good. But Filipinos deserve more than promises — we deserve proof that accountability isn’t just lip service.

So if you were the one standing in the smoke, risking your life with every blast and explosion, would you resist the temptation — or would you take something for yourself, too?

(Image: Philippine News Agency | Facebook)