REMULLA
ILOILO CITY – Secretary Jonvic Remulla of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) vowed to rid the Bureau of Fire Protection, an attached agency, of corruption this year.
“We will clean up the BFP. In my opinion, it is one of the most corrupt organizations in the country,” said Remulla in a Jan. 7 press conference at the Iloilo Airport. “We will exert all efforts para matitigil na ang (to stop) corruption,” Remulla added.
Remulla has been calling out alleged corrupt practices within the BFP since last year.
There have been numerous irregular practices, including bribery and conflicts of interests, from regular firemen to fire station chiefs.
Remulla said BFP personnel allegedly sell fire extinguishers to establishments as part of safety clearances.
He said one key strategy that the DILG is set to implement is mandatory body cameras for firemen and BFP personnel while on duty. Remulla said this equipment will deter corrupt practices.
Remulla wants other attached agencies of the DILG to beef up the training of personnel who can be trusted by the public.
Remulla said he is satisfied with the Philippine National Police (PNP) which is also under the DILG. PNP chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force’s trust rating has reached 80 percent.