Cebu (CNN Philippines, December 12) — The Municipal Trial Court building in Minglanilla, Cebu was allegedly set on fire on Tuesday noon by one of its employees for reasons still being investigated by authorities.
In a statement, Minglanilla Mayor Mayor Rajiv Enad confirmed that the blaze that hit the court building was an arson case.
Enad said the incident was no accident and that a 60-year-old male employee started it.
Quoting the police investigation, the mayor said the employee used a lighter to burn papers under his desk in front of other court personnel.
Upon seeing the burning documents, MTC Judge Wilson Ibones asked his staff to stop the employee who resisted and hit Ibones and his other colleagues with a fluorescent tube.
The employee also allegedly padlocked the door, trapping his co-workers who tried to escape as the fire began to spread.
At least 11 people were hurt and brought to the hospital, including the suspect, who did not survive.
Investigation into the reason behind the arson is underway, according to authorities.
The estimated cost of damage is still being determined, but the fire affected multiple government offices housed in the court building, they also said.
