1,000 BFP officers to face raps over body cameras

MANILA, Philippines — For allegedly circumventing the body-worn camera policy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), over 1,000 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will face criminal cases.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed outrage after validation showed that despite the reforms he imposed, the BFP still received complaints from owners of buildings and businesses.

He said the BFP officers avoid using body-worn cameras to be able to sell fire extinguishers during safety inspections.

“The DILG asked business owners about customer satisfaction. Ninety-nine percent, may complaint pa rin,” Remulla told reporters.

Remulla has ordered fire safety inspectors to wear body cameras to prevent them from forcing business owners to procure overpriced fire extinguishers.

Instead of following his directive, Remulla said scalawags in the BFP are still selling fire extinguishers when business owners renew their permits.

He revealed that corrupt BFP officers targeted his nephew who owns a convenience store in Silang, Cavite.

According to Remulla, his relative went to the BFP one-stop shop to renew his business permit.

At the BFP booth, Remulla’s relative paid the corresponding fire safety inspection fees.

Despite payment of fees, Remulla said the BFP did not inspect the convenience store in 2025.

When his nephew returned on Jan. 28, Remulla said Fire Officer 1 Marvin Baronquillo told the former that he needed to buy a fire extinguisher at a nearby store, which costs P800 each prior to inspection.

Remulla has announced that charges would be filed before the ombudsman against BFP chief Jesus Fernandez and other bureau officials for alleged bid-rigging and corruption.