Around 10,000 liters of diesel fuel seized from a residential compound in Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City, will be donated to local volunteer fire brigades following its removal by authorities.
The fuel was discovered stored inside a house along Scout Castor St., prompting concern among residents who earlier filed a petition with the city government over the presence of large volumes of flammable materials in a residential area.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) led the operation on Wednesday morning, transferring the diesel from a newly constructed storage tank into a tanker truck.
According to lawyer Manuel Ventura, legal counsel for the property owner, the lessor was unaware that the tenant was storing petroleum products on-site, despite an existing lease contract.
He issued a public apology to affected residents, saying, "Humihingi kami ng paumanhin, hindi namin alam na yung rume-renta ay ganito ang gagawin… at wala kaming intensyon na gumawa ng ilegal o makakapahamak sa komunidad."
The Quezon City government has launched an investigation into the incident amid reports that the fuel stockpile posed significant fire hazards. Barangay chairperson Camille Mallig-David assured residents that stricter monitoring and enforcement will be implemented to prevent similar cases.
Residents expressed relief over the swift response of authorities, while officials confirmed that the recovered diesel will be repurposed to support fire volunteer groups, turning a potential public safety threat into a resource for emergency response.
