Ched Rick Gatchalian

Remulla calls BFP corruption ‘cancerous,’ vows charges vs erring officials

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personel conduct an inspection at the Mandaluyong City Central Fire Station on new year’s eve, December 31, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177088044086320221231-bfp-new-years-eve-gc-10.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel conduct an inspection on December 31, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/file</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday denounced alleged widespread corruption within the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), describing it as “cancerous” as he revealed what he called a new modus operandi involving some fire inspectors and private suppliers.</p><p>Remulla noted that they had recently deployed body cameras to all BFP fire inspectors nationwide in an effort to curb irregularities during inspections.</p><p>He explained that inspectors are required to formally introduce themselves and clarify that they are not allowed to sell fire safety equipment or contract sprinkler systems while conducting inspections.</p><p>However, despite the new measure, Remulla said complaints from businesses persisted.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F899575912878217%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>“Ninety nine percent may complaint pa rin. Kasi ang nangyayari ngayon, nauuna ang nagbebenta ng fire extinguisher. Dadating sa loob ng lugar, sasabihin nila, parating na fire inspector niyo. Bumili na kayo sa akin. Ako na bahala papasa na kayo kaagad,” he said.</div><p>According to Remulla, some suppliers allegedly coordinate with inspectors by approaching business owners ahead of inspections, reversing the usual process.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/11/sunog-sumiklab-sa-residential-area-sa-malabon-2-sugatan-1722">Sunog sumiklab sa residential area sa Malabon, 2 sugatan</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>NEPHEW ALLEGEDLY VICTIMIZED</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Remulla cited a personal example, saying his nephew allegedly became a victim of the scheme while processing a business permit renewal in Silang, Cavite.</p><p>He said his nephew paid fire inspection fees in January 2025 but no inspection was conducted throughout the year.</p><p>When he attempted to renew his permit in January 2026, he was allegedly told by a BFP personnel to present proof that he had refilled his fire extinguishers before a new inspection certificate could be issued.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/29/bfp-probes-viral-looting-video-during-landers-fire-says-suspects-were-fire-volunteers-1708">BFP probes viral looting video during Landers fire, says suspects were fire volunteers</a></div><p>The official also alleged that his nephew was directed to a store outside the municipal hall where he purchased refills worth P2,400, only to later be told that the equipment was still non-compliant.</p><p>“On February 3, they called Mr. Posa and told him that the fire extinguisher is still being non-compliant as it is one 10-pound fire extinguisher instead of three 3-pound fire extinguishers. To date, dahil BFP has not inspected Mr. Posa&#x27;s business, [the supplier] has not reached out to Mr. Posa to discuss. So nakikita niyo ‘yung pattern nila?” Remulla said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>&#x27;HINDI NILA AKO KAYANG ISAHAN HABAMBUHAY&#x27;<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Remulla said the DILG is preparing cases against fire inspectors and suppliers allegedly involved in the scheme.</p><p>“‘Yung back track ng DILG, lahat ‘pag na-identify na namin ang fire inspectors at lahat ng bilihan ng fire extinguisher, kakasuhan na rin namin,” he said.</p><p>He added that cases would initially be filed against personnel in the Silang BFP but could expand nationwide as investigations continue.</p><p>Remulla estimated that nearly 1,000 personnel may face charges based on DILG findings.</p><p>“Dito talaga sa BFP habang kaya kang isahan, iisahan ka. Pero hindi nila ako kayang isahan habambuhay. Mahuhuli’t mahuhuli ko rin ‘yung mga ‘yan,” he stressed.</p><p>“Kawawa naman ang mga negosyante natin. 99 percent of the employers of the Philippines are small and medium scale businesses. 100 percent of them are victims of the BFP. Kailangan matigil ito.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CASES TO BE FILED NEXT WEEK</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Next week, the DILG chief said that they are ready to file the first cases for alleged bid rigging and graft against members of the BFP’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) from 2015 to 2025.</p><p>Around 40 officials, including BFP chief Director Jesus Fernandez, may face complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman and could be placed under preventive suspension.</p><p>“Si President Marcos ang appointing authority hindi ako, but I will be recommending for his replacement already. Tatlo ang pinagpipilian namin and bina-background check pa namin lahat kasi again we need reforms eh,” he said.</p><p>Despite the looming charges, Remulla said fire inspection services will continue, noting that replacements will be immediately deployed for personnel who may be relieved.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hLNJOv6EQbQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QpSudCcu6WA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday denounced alleged widespread corruption within the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), describing it as “cancerous” as he revealed what he called a new modus operandi involving some fire inspectors and private suppliers.</p>

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday denounced alleged widespread corruption within the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), describing it as “cancerous” as he revealed what he called a new modus operandi involving some fire inspectors and private suppliers.

Remulla calls BFP corruption ‘cancerous,’ says cases may be filed next week

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Remulla calls BFP corruption ‘cancerous,’ says cases may be filed next week

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 12, 2026 03:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Jonvic Remulla

BFP

DILG

Corruption

Bribery

Fire extinguishers

Fire truck

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