A foreign national ignited a fire at a gas station in Clark Freeport Zone on Thursday after crashing into a gas pump amid a police chase, officials said.
Retired Major General Lina Sarmiento, Vice President for Security Services Group of Clark Development Corporation, said the foreigner was initially spotted inside a parked car near a fire station.
“When the on-duty fireman checked, he saw the individual completely unclothed,” Sarmiento told CLTV36. “As soon as the foreign national noticed someone approaching, he drove off slowly, prompting the fireman to alert the command center. This led to a security alert for all personnel in the Freeport Zone,” she added.
According to Sarmiento, police pursued the foreigner, who allegedly struck a security personnel on a motorcycle during the chase. He was ultimately cornered at the gas station, where he attempted to escape by ramming a gas pump.
“The fire started at that point,” she said. “Only then did he open the car door and flee, where he was soon detained by security.”
Firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the blaze. The foreigner was taken to a hospital to treat injuries and now faces multiple charges, including assault, property damage, and attempting to evade arrest.