A 21-year-old man was taken into custody after allegedly setting fire to the residence of a journalist inside a subdivision in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna early Wednesday morning.
The suspect, identified only as “Juber,” was apprehended by a responding security guard and later turned over to the custody of the city’s fire station.
In a radio interview, Bilyonaryo News Channel journalist Marlon Ramos said he was awakened by an explosion at around 2 a.m.
Ramos said he immediately left his bedroom to check what had happened and found thick, suffocating smoke inside the house.
“There was already a thick, suffocating smoke,” Ramos said, adding that he later discovered a fire in the kitchen area, which was eventually put out.
He then went to the second floor and called for help. A security guard responded and arrested the suspect.
Ramos said the suspect was a former high school classmate of his son and had allegedly brought gasoline that he poured into the kitchen area before setting the house on fire.
The journalist said his son had recently been avoiding the suspect after noticing changes in his behavior.
Ramos said he personally asked the suspect why he committed the act, noting that the suspect had last visited their home about two years ago.
According to Ramos, the suspect claimed he was being bullied by his son.
“My son said he and his classmates were avoiding him because he (suspect) thinks differently…He talks differently, his (social media) post are unusual, that’s why they are avoiding him,” Ramos said.
Ramos said he intends to file charges against the suspect.
“He is at the fire station, he is detained there. But he is due to be turned over to the PNP…I’m going to pursue charges,” he said.