Jonvic vows to end P15 billion per-year BFP corruption

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February 26, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Fed up with misfits in the Bureau of Fire Protection, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has set his sights on dismantling what he described as a deeply entrenched corruption network in the BFP.

Remulla vowed to rid the bureau of scalawags as administrative complaints have been filed against 12 regional BFP officials linked to a slot-for-sale scheme and other irregularities.

He said the corruption in the BFP, which has persisted for decades, should be stopped.

“Enough is enough. We have to break the culture of corruption in the BFP,” Remulla said in a statement.

According to Remulla, corruption in the BFP has evolved into an estimated P15-billion-a-year enterprise through illegal recruitment practices, compromised fire safety inspections, forced sale and refilling of fire extinguishers, and allegations that some business owners were required to pay fees before firefighting services were extended.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has received 40 complaints related to the slot-for-sale scheme.

Of the number, 21 have been referred to the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. The remaining complaints are undergoing verification with the complainants.

Those who were placed on a 90-day preventive suspension were former BFP- Eastern Visayas director Chief Supt. Adel Bautista, Senior Superintendents Joselito Sabandal and Randy Mendaros and Supt. Dorotheo Mocorro.

They are facing charges for allegedly demanding grease money of up to P800,000 from applicants in exchange for guaranteed inclusion in the final list of successful BFP recruits.

Remulla said a BFP regional director usually gets 50 percent of the money from each applicant, with the rest going to his cohorts.

He said the scheme has been ongoing for about two decades, the reason why corruption is embedded in the BFP.

Six officials from BFP-Northern Mindanao are also facing cases for recruitment irregularities such as the approval of applicants without the required medical, physical and dental clearances.

They were identified as Senior Superintendents Franklin Ratunil, Richie Fabre, Alan Cabot, Reynante Lorono and Rafonzel Anito as well as Senior Fire Officer 4 Greg Sacote.

Two other BFP personnel in Calabarzon – Senior Inspector Jonathan Hungriano Jr. and Fire Officer 1 Marvhin Bardoquillo – are facing administrative complaints for failure to conduct fire safety inspections despite payment of fees.

Remulla said accountability reaches up to BFP chief Jesus Fernandez, whom he wants fired from the bureau.

Remulla said the process of selecting Fernandez’s replacement is underway, with the names of candidates already submitted to President Marcos for his approval.