BFP exec faces graft raps for extort try on trader

A fire inspector of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was charged yesterday before the Office of the Ombudsman for graft and direct bribery after he allegedly tried to extort money from a sari-sari store owner whose store was gutted by fire in San Juan City last month.

The National Bureau of Investigation filed the charges against Fire Inspector Chandler Arcadio, chief of the investigation and intelligence section of the San Juan City fire station, after the NBI caught him in an entrapment operation last Sept. 30.

Complainant Maria Amie Aguilar said the M.A.A. store, which she owned, was gutted by fire on Sept. 23. The store was on San Perfecto street in Barangay San Perfecto, San Juan City.

The next day, Arcadio investigated the fire incident and even allegedly asked Aguilar for some liquor. She gave him three bottles of brandy for free.

Aguilar said her store was covered by an insurance policy, and she requested a certification from Arcadio, who demanded P5,000 from her. She said they haggled over the amount and agreed on P3,000 and three more bottles of liquor.

On Sept. 29, Aguilar’s niece, Shahani Campos, went to the San Juan City fire station, gave Arcadio the money and liquor, and received the certification. However, to her surprise, Arcadio wrote on the certification “not valid for insurance claim.”

On the night of Sept. 29, Aguilar said she and Arcadio met at the store to discuss the matter. Arcadio allegedly demanded a 10 percent commission on the insurance claim.

Aguilar said only P50,000 could be claimed from the insurance, but Arcadio still insisted on his cut and that it be paid in advance.

On Sept. 30, Aguilar filed a complaint before the NBI, and an entrapment was planned. That night, Arcadio arrived at the store, inspected Aguilar’s insurance policy, and learned it would pay P500,000.

He demanded that he be given P50,000 as his cut, but Aguilar said she only had P13,000 with her. After Aguilar handed Arcadio the marked money, NBI agents arrested the fire official.