Fact-check: Viral fireworks falsely priced at P10 million each

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 OCTOBER 2026 —

The viral assertion that the Philippine government is spending 10 million pesos on each fire trike is false, according to a fact-check by Philstar.com.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that the 10-million-peso figure refers specifically to the unit cost of new fire trucks under a planned government-to-government agreement with South Korea, not the trikes circulating in social media videos. The confusion has fueled widespread criticism of the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, with users alleging that the government is cutting corners on emergency response equipment due to budget constraints.

The misinformation gained traction through multiple social media posts in early October. A Facebook reel published on October 4 juxtaposed footage of a row of fire trikes in a municipality with a clip of Secretary Remulla discussing the cost of fire trucks. The post included the caption, "Mga Ma'am sir sound check tayo sa bagong fire truck ???? ng BBM admin????", inviting users to evaluate the quality of the new vehicles.

Another Facebook post, dated October 5, compared images of the fire trikes with photographs of fire trucks in Japan. The caption criticized the Marcos administration, stating, "nagyabang si Baby M na magpapalipad daw ng rocket... eh fire truck nga di makabili..rocket pa kaya..imbis na mag modernize ng fire truck...ginawang fire trike.. paurong ang pag usad.. pabalik sa sina unang panahon.. salamat kay jonvic... 10M each daw.. alams na kung bakit??

kasi wala na pera ang goberno.. inubos na nila.." The post suggested that the government could not afford proper fire trucks and was instead resorting to outdated trikes because funds had been exhausted.

Secretary Remulla’s statement, which serves as the basis for the 10-million-peso figure, was issued on October 3. He announced that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) would travel to South Korea within two weeks to sign a government-to-government agreement for the purchase of 1,500 fire trucks. According to the Interior Secretary, the BFP had previously purchased fire trucks at approximately 16 million pesos each.

Under the new agreement, the cost per unit would drop to 10 million pesos.

"In two weeks, when we sign our agreement, the fire trucks will only be P10 million each, a savings of P9 billion over three years," Remulla said. The deal, however, has not yet been finalized as of the publication of the fact-check. The significant cost reduction is attributed to the scale of the procurement and the direct government-to-government nature of the deal, which bypasses certain commercial markups.

The fire trikes featured in the viral posts are unrelated to this national procurement deal. These vehicles were acquired by local government units (LGUs) months prior to the viral posts. One video, stitched alongside Remulla’s clip in the October 4 reel, was filmed in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, on July 6. In that footage, Mayor Gege Salonga-Esquivel unveiled six new three-wheeled Fire Fighter Rescue Vehicles purchased by the local government.

Salonga-Esquivel explained the purpose of the vehicles, stating, "Ang mga sasakyang ito ay magsisilbing dagdag na lakas sa ating emergency response at ilalaan sa mga malalayong barangay upang mas mabilis na maabot ang ating mga kababayan sa oras ng pangangailangan." The mayor noted that these vehicles would serve as additional strength in emergency response, specifically deployed to remote barangays to reach citizens faster during times of need.

The second viral image, which compared the trikes to Japanese fire trucks, was taken in Naval, Biliran, on July 10. The LGU of Naval held a blessing ceremony for three brand-new fire suppression penetrators and a backhoe loader in celebration of Disaster Resilience Month. The fire suppression penetrators are also three-wheeled vehicles, designed for specific operational environments.

The LGU of Naval described the utility of these vehicles in a social media post, noting, "The fire suppression penetrators, designed to maneuver through narrow streets and congested residential areas, will enable faster and more efficient fire suppression response in zones previously inaccessible to conventional fire trucks." This highlights a different strategic approach to fire safety, focusing on accessibility in dense urban or residential areas rather than the heavy-duty capabilities of standard fire trucks.

The circulation of these posts occurred amid heightened political tension in the Philippines, specifically during the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Both social media accounts that posted the misleading claims had previously shared content supportive of the Duterte family and critical of President Marcos. This political context likely amplified the reach and emotional resonance of the posts, framing the procurement of trikes as evidence of administrative failure or financial mismanagement.

As of October 6, the viral Facebook reel had garnered over 7,000 likes, 1,500 comments, and 1,200 shares. The accompanying Facebook post had accumulated more than 1,200 reactions, 200 comments, and 100 shares. These engagement metrics indicate a significant level of public interest and concern regarding the state of fire safety infrastructure in the country.

The distinction between local and national procurement is crucial for understanding the Philippine fire safety landscape. Local governments often acquire smaller, more agile vehicles to address specific local challenges, such as narrow streets or remote areas, while the national government focuses on large-scale procurement of standard equipment for broader coverage.

The 1,500 fire trucks planned for purchase under the South Korean agreement represent a major upgrade to the national fleet, aiming to replace older units and improve overall response capabilities.

The fact-check underscores the importance of verifying the source and context of information, particularly when it involves government spending and public safety. The conflation of two different projects has led to unfounded criticism of the administration, diverting attention from the actual progress being made in modernizing the fire service.

The planned savings of 9 billion pesos over three years through the South Korean deal is a significant fiscal achievement that has been obscured by the viral misinformation.

The upcoming signing of the agreement in South Korea is a key next step for the BFP. Once finalized, the procurement of 1,500 fire trucks at 10 million pesos each will begin, marking a substantial investment in the country's emergency response infrastructure.

This move is expected to enhance the capacity of the BFP to handle fires and other emergencies across the archipelago, complementing the efforts of local governments that are deploying specialized vehicles like the fire trikes and suppression penetrators.

The incident also highlights the role of social media in shaping public perception of government actions. In an era where information spreads rapidly, the lack of clear communication from official sources can create a vacuum that is filled by misleading narratives. The Interior Ministry’s clarification serves as a reminder that complex procurement processes and local initiatives should be understood in their proper context to avoid unnecessary controversy.

For Malaysian and regional readers, this incident offers a glimpse into the challenges of public procurement and communication in Southeast Asian democracies. The balance between cost-efficiency and equipment quality is a common theme in regional infrastructure development. The Philippine government’s strategy of combining large-scale national procurement with targeted local acquisitions reflects a pragmatic approach to resource allocation, aiming to maximize coverage and response efficiency within budgetary constraints.

The ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte adds a layer of political complexity to the discourse around public spending. Critics often use infrastructure and service delivery as proxies for broader political grievances, making it essential for officials to provide clear, factual information to counter misinformation. The fact-check by Philstar.com plays a vital role in this process, helping to separate fact from fiction and ensuring that public debate is grounded in accurate information.

As the Philippine government moves forward with the South Korean agreement, the focus will shift to the implementation and delivery of the new fire trucks. The success of this procurement will be measured not only by the cost savings but also by the improvement in fire response times and outcomes across the country.

The local initiatives, such as those in San Antonio and Naval, will continue to play a complementary role, addressing specific local needs with specialized equipment.

The viral posts, while based on false premises, have sparked a broader conversation about the state of fire safety in the Philippines. This dialogue, though initially fueled by misinformation, has the potential to lead to greater public engagement and scrutiny of government spending. By understanding the distinct roles of national and local procurement, the public can better appreciate the efforts being made to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The fact-check concludes that the 10-million-peso price tag applies to the new fire trucks under the South Korean agreement, not the fire trikes purchased by local governments. The trikes, unveiled in July 2026, are part of a separate initiative aimed at improving access in remote and congested areas.

The confusion between the two has been exploited for political purposes, but the underlying facts remain clear: the government is pursuing a cost-effective strategy to modernize its fire fleet while supporting local efforts to enhance emergency response.

The next few weeks will be critical for the BFP as it finalizes the agreement in South Korea. The signing of the contract will mark a significant milestone in the modernization of the Philippine fire service, with the potential to save billions of pesos and improve safety for millions of citizens.

The local governments, meanwhile, will continue to deploy their specialized vehicles, ensuring that every community, regardless of size or location, has access to effective fire suppression resources.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of media literacy and the need for transparent communication from public officials. In a digital age where misinformation can spread rapidly, the ability to verify facts and understand context is essential for informed citizenship. The Philippine government’s response to the viral posts, through clear and factual clarification, sets a precedent for addressing similar challenges in the future.

The regional impact of this story extends beyond the Philippines, offering lessons for other countries in the region that are grappling with similar issues of public procurement and social media influence. The balance between cost and quality, the role of local governments in complementing national efforts, and the importance of clear communication are universal themes that resonate across Southeast Asia.

As the region continues to develop its infrastructure and public services, the lessons from the Philippine fire trike controversy will be relevant to policymakers and citizens alike.

The story ends with the anticipation of the upcoming agreement with South Korea, a step that promises to bring tangible improvements to the Philippine fire service. The 1,500 new fire trucks, at a reduced cost of 10 million pesos each, represent a significant investment in public safety and a testament to the government’s commitment to efficient resource management.

The local initiatives, such as the fire trikes in San Antonio and the suppression penetrators in Naval, will continue to play a vital role in ensuring that emergency response is both rapid and effective, tailored to the specific needs of each community.