The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) accelerated its formal investigation into the catastrophic Lapasan fire after the primary suspect surrendered and confessed to intentionally setting fire to his former partner’s home, which destroyed nearly 100 residences in Barangay Lapasan.
Cagayan de Oro District Fire Marshal Fire Senior Superintendent Reynante Lorono confirmed that the suspect’s voluntary admission, combined with physical evidence of chemical accelerants and witness statements, enabled investigators to rapidly process arson charges.
Lorono emphasized that despite the confession, the suspect retains the legal presumption of innocence pending formal judicial proceedings.
