Fire chief issues warning to protesting bomberos
The director general of the Fire Department of Panama (CBP) has warned protesting firefighters who blocked Avenida Cuba with department vehicles that that they are guilty of misuse of government property
Paul Tuñón told through the State System of Radio and Television (SerTV) late on Thursday evening, that “if they do not to return the vehicles to their respective stations, we will be required to launch complaints relating to the misuse of government property for purposes not provided for in the law "
He gave units two hours to move the vehicles.
Lt. Cruz Gomez was fired after staging a three day hunger strike in protest because according to him the head of the fire service had not complied with the provisions of Law No. 10, regarding the equalization of wages and bonuses. Firefighter Gomez was supported in the hunger strike of his teammates Gonzalo Raul Córboda and Marshall. According to Sergeant Diego Aguilar, representatives from all fire stations in the capital are supporting the protest.. Gomez was dismissed for alleged mismanagement and was the leader of a protest that has lasted several months, and began with a request for better working conditions.