Jonvic asks Marcos Jr. : Fire BFP chief

MANILA, Philippines —   Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has asked President Marcos to remove Bureau of Fire Protection chief (BFP) Jesus Fernandez from his post over alleged involvement in corruption. “I recommended his termination. So it is up to the President,” Remulla told reporters yesterday.

When asked for the whereabouts of Fernandez, Remulla said he has not talked with the BFP chief after the latter allegedly offered him kickbacks in the purchase of fire trucks last December.

One of Fernandez’s subordinates reportedly approached a friend of Remulla and allegedly relayed that the DILG chief could receive P1.5 million in kickback for every fire truck.

When he was informed about the bribe offer, Remulla scolded Fernandez the next day.

Remulla said Fernandez was silent and did not offer an explanation when berated.

“Nakatungo lang, hindi makatingin sa akin,” Remulla said.

He said he is set to receive the results of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s fact-finding probe into alleged corruption in the BFP.

Fernandez and 19 other BFP officials will face charges for their alleged involvement in bid rigging, kickbacks and overpriced sale of fire extinguishers.