2 BFP officials sacked over kickbacks from overpriced extinguishers

Two Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officials were relieved for allegedly receiving kickbacks from overpriced fire extinguishers.

According to Mav Gonzales’ Monday report on “24 Oras,” the BFP officials allegedly collected P30 million from selling fire extinguishers to just one building.

“Parang yung inspector at yung supplier ay magkamag-anak. Tapos pinilit nila 'yung building na dun lang kukuha. Overpriced siya by 100%. 'Yun ang pinaghahati-hatian nila diyan sa taas. Bago pa man nangyari ay natigil na natin pero 'yung attempt ay nandoon na,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

(It seems the inspector and the supplier are relatives. They forced the builder to get fire extinguishers from them, which are overpriced by 100%. That’s what they divided among themselves. We were able to stop it even before it happened, but the attempt was already made.)

The two BFP officials, one from BFP-Quezon City and the other BFP-National Capital Region, were placed under administrative relief to avoid interfering with the ongoing investigation.

Those applying for BFP permits were allegedly pressured to buy fire extinguishers at double or triple the price, or they would face delays or denial of business and building permits.

“So I would think it would run into the billions of pesos every year,” Remulla said.

“It is corruption at its worst, kasi ayan naging systemic na. Mula inspector hanggang chief ng BFP kasama lahat. Sumisipa sila pataas,” he added.

(This is corruption at its worst since it has become systemic. From inspectors to the BFP chief, everyone is involved.)

Remulla also said applicants were even forced to buy sprinklers from the BFP.

According to the BFP, fire inspectors are prohibited from offering or endorsing suppliers since it can lead to acts of corruption and is considered an unethical practice.

“So, we encourage talaga kung may mga reported na ganun na iparating agad sa aming tanggapan,” said Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo, BFP spokesperson.

(So, we urge the public to report similar incidents to our office.)

He added the BFP has a lot of similar cases being investigated.

Remulla could not specify the exact amount of kickbacks allegedly received by the BFP, but he assured that other officials will be relieved from their posts.

“Hanggang pinakataas. Pinakamataas sa BFP. I am assured sa DILG talaga wala, sa amin wala ah. I don't know..pero sa amin wala talaga pero talagang ang buong BFP, 'yung lahat ng leadership,” Remulla said.

(It goes all the way to the top, the highest levels of the BFP. I am sure that there is none in the DILG. I don’t know about others, but in our office, there is truly none. However, it really involves the entire BFP leadership.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News