BFP’s most wanted person posing as fire safety inspector nabbed in QC — NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines — A female suspect pretending to be a fire safety inspector who is also the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) most wanted individual was arrested in Quezon City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday.

In a report read during NCRPO’s briefing at its headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, the suspect, identified as Cherry Grace de Leon, was said to have victimized several businesses by posing as a BFP personnel doing fire safety inspections of buildings in various areas.

NCRPO said De Leon, who had an outstanding arrest order for four counts each of usurpation of authority and estafa, would dupe her victims by listing fire safety violations the building allegedly committed and by providing solutions by selling fire extinguishers or offering fire extinguisher refills for a sum of money.

“According to the Director for Intelligence and Investigation of BFP, the accused was listed number one in their order of priority having been involved in criminal activities using the bureau’s name, causing severe damage to the image and integrity of the Bureau of Fire Protection,” NCRPO said.

“In various occasions, Grace was allegedly transacting with different business establishments under the pretense that she was a member of the Bureau of Fire Protection in order to be allowed access to conduct fire safety inspections.  Thereafter she would list down violations particularly regarding lacking and/ or non-existing fire extinguishers,” it added.

What De Leon would do next is to show receipts to make it appear that she had been doing official business, charging businesses for the fire extinguisher refill or purchase.  However, the suspect would no longer return to the said establishment, and would even try to extort more money by asking victims to pay an additional amount for the processing of the fire safety compliance certificate.

“She will get the sum of money from the business owners for the delivery of new fire extinguishers and to refill existing ones.  Thereafter she will issue fake receipts to establish a cloud of legitimacy in the transaction before immediately leaving the premises, never to return and comply with her share of the promise,” NCRPO added.

NCRPO said it was their Regional Intelligence Division which managed to arrest De Leon in Barangay Bago Bantay, Quezon City, last June 14.  She is expected to face more charges — at least 13 — as more businesses are coming out to file complaints.

Estimates from the Intelligence Division say De Leon has already siphoned money worth over P100,000.

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