Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he will recommend the filing of criminal charges against at least 20 high-ranking officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) over alleged widespread corruption.
In an interview on Dos Por Dos, Remulla said the DILG has completed a case build-up involving extortion, bid rigging, and overpricing in fire safety inspections and procurement of equipment and fire trucks.
“Itong BFP kasi walang sumisilip sa kanila. Ang pineperwisyo nila, yung middle class, yung mga naghahanapbuhay, yung mga yan naman para matapos lang, sige bayad na lang ako para walang perwisyo, wala naman kaso sa kanila,” SILG Remulla said.
“Pero tama na. Talagang nakakasawa na sila. Kaya ngayon, nag-case build up na kami. Alam na namin kung sino player. Alam na namin paano ang sistema. Kamaduhan na namin sila,” he added.
He estimated that corruption in the BFP generates more than ₱15 billion annually, largely collected from businesses nationwide.
Remulla said inspectors allegedly force business owners to buy fire safety equipment from preferred suppliers at prices two to three times higher than market value in exchange for fire safety and occupancy permits.
He also cited bid rigging in fire truck procurement and claimed an attempt was made to bribe him with ₱1.5 million per truck in December.
He said recommendations have been submitted, noting that only the President can remove the BFP chief. The first batch of cases will involve about 20 senior officials, with more inspectors to follow.
“Next week kakasuhan ko na sila lahat eh. Kasi bid rigging sila doon sa fire trucks, bid rigging sila sa equipment, lahat bid rigging. Na pinag-aralan na namin talaga eh, natambak.”
To address corruption, Remulla announced the rollout of body cameras for fire safety inspectors, which will take effect next week after nationwide training.
“Ang requirement niyan kung anong sinisita nila, anong sinasabi nila, makikita namin lahat eh. Within there and then, sasabihin nila kung may violation o wala. Kung wala, issue the business permit right there and then.”
