DILG: Over 200 BFP personnel under probe over 'slot-for-sale' recruitment scheme

More than 200 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are being investigated over an alleged “slot-for-sale” recruitment scheme, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Friday.

At a press conference, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the investigation covers personnel nationwide and is part of a broader effort to eliminate corruption within the BFP.

“Binabalaan ko na ang lahat ng opisyal ng BFP. Lumabas na kayo ngayon at umamin kayo o hahabulin namin kayo hanggang matapos ang career niyo,” Remulla said.

“Ang iniimbestigahan namin ngayon ay lumagpas ng 200 tao na tungkol sa slots for sale,” he added.

(We are warning all (involved) BFP officials. You better come out and admit your fault or we will go after you until your career ends. We are investigating over 200 people over the slots for sale [scheme].)

The investigation followed an entrapment operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 3 in San Fernando City, Pampanga on August 24.

The operation resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old BFP personnel who was caught accepting P300,000 from the complainant in exchange for securing a position in the bureau.

Other applicants allegedly paid between P100,000 and P800,000 for BFP slots under the illegal scheme.

“It's a P15 billion a year industry,” Remulla said.

A senior BFP officer in Calabarzon allegedly linked to the recruitment scheme was also relieved from their post and placed under restrictive duty pending investigation.

Remulla vowed to clean the BFP and resolve the matter within six months. — RSJ, GMA News