Probe vs corrupt BFP execs 80% complete – DILG

MANILA, Philippines —  The investigation into the alleged corruption in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is almost complete, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said yesterday.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is probing the allegations of bid rigging, kickbacks and other forms of corruption in the BFP, which he described as the most corrupt bureau under his department.

“The CIDG probe is 80 percent complete,” Remulla told GMA News.

On Tuesday, Remulla said 20 BFP officials, including bureau chief Jesus Fernandez, would face charges for alleged corruption.

Remulla accused Fernandez of attempting to give him millions of pesos in kickbacks in the purchase of fire trucks.

The CIDG is conducting a background check on the activities of BFP officials in the past five years, Remulla said.

Among those being probed are BFP personnel for selling overpriced fire extinguishers.

One of these officials, a fire safety inspector, was found to be connected with the supplier of fire extinguishers, according to Remulla.

“It turned out the fire inspector and the supplier are relatives,” he said.

From Metro Manila, the DILG probe will cover other BFP offices nationwide.

Two senior BFP officials assigned in Quezon City and the bureau’s National Capital Region field office have been sacked from their posts due to alleged irregularities in the procurement of fire extinguishers for a condominium building in the city.