CIDG arrests female fire officer in 'slot for sale' scheme in BFP
By Aaron Recuenco and Chito Chavez
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a female personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for allegedly offering a slot to applicants in exchange for a huge sum of money.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico said a surveillance operation was immediately conducted after they obtained a report of the alleged slot for sale scheme for applicants aspiring to become firemen.
Based on the initial investigation, the female BFP personnel used a dummy account on Facebook messenger to negotiate the deal for a sure slot to the agency.
“The suspect promised and gave a guarantee to facilitate his entry into the bureau in exchange for P500,000,” said Morico, adding that the revelation came from one of the applicants.
During the initial meeting, the suspect presented her BFP identification card to the applicant and assured him that she has already facilitated similar transactions in the past —from applicants from other places including Laguna.
The BFP female personnel then allegedly instructed the complainant to hand over
the full amount P500,000 on Aug. 24 but the latter managed to negotiate an initial down payment of P300,000.
It was then that the operation was carried out in Barangay Maimpis in San Fernando City at around 7 p.m. Aug. 24.
“The suspect was caught red-handed while receiving the marked money from the applicant,” said Morico.
Meanwhile, the BFP leadership vowed to investigate the incident as it stressed that the hiring process in the agency is strictly based on merit and physical and mental fitness.
“We do not tolerate corruption within our ranks. Continuously working with the PNP, we will ensure anyone who exploits our aspiring applicants will face the law,” Kwan Tiu said.
“We will hold our personnel accountable for their actions,” he added.