DILG: 49 BFP officials face Ombudsman raps over alleged fire truck procurement irregularities

A total of 49 officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have been charged before the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in the procurement of fire trucks, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday.

“Inimbestigahan ko na sila ngayon. Inimbestigahan ko ang BAC, inimbestigahan ko ang pricing, commercial pricing versus government pricing. Tinignan ko yung proseso,” Remulla said at Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum.

(I have investigated them. I have investigated the BAC. I have investigated the pricing, commercial pricing versus government pricing. I have looked into the process)

“Mga 49 officials ng BFP, buong [Bids and Awards Committee], buong directorate, lahat yan, kinasuhan ko na sa Ombudsman after careful investigation on our part,” he added.

(Around 49 BFP officials, the entire Bids and Awards Committee, the entire directorate, all of them, I have filed charges with the Ombudsman after careful investigation on our part,” he added.

These BFP officials have been suspended.

Remulla cited what he described as suspicious increases in the cost of fire trucks over the years, claiming units priced at P5 million in 2015 rose to P10 million in 2018 and to P15 million in 2021 for the exact same unit.

He also alleged that corruption had become systemic within the BFP, comparing it to an “organized crime syndicate.”

The DILG chief added that around 650 Metro Manila fire inspectors accused of corruption have been reassigned to remote areas such as Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Newly deployed inspectors were ordered to wear body cameras during inspections. — BAP, GMA News