‘Mananagot kayo sa batas’: Abalos warns scalawags in BFP

By: Zeus Legaspi - 8 months ago

MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. issued a strong warning on Wednesday to Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) members who may be engaging in illicit activities.

“Binabalaan ko ang mga nagbabalak pang gumawa o kasalukuyang gumagawa ng iligal na gawain sa BFP: Itigil na ninyo ang masama ninyong gawain bago mahuli ang lahat. Mahuhuli rin kayo at sisiguraduhin kong mananagot kayo sa batas!” Abalos said in a statement.

(I am warning those planning or engaging in illegal activities within the BFP: Stop your wrongful deeds before it’s too late. You will be caught, and I will ensure you will be held accountable under the law!)

Abalos’ warning comes after the arrest of a fireman in Zamboanga del Sur for his alleged involvement in a recruitment-for-a-fee scam.

The suspect, identified as Fire Officer 3 Jesson Casanes, was arrested after receiving P400,000 from a victim applying for a job at the BFP.

“Bago naaresto si Fire Officer 3 Jesson Albios Casane na naka-assign sa Isabela City ay ilang mga kasapi na rin ng BFP ang nadakip dati dahil sa halos parehong modus operandi,” Abalos said.

(Before Fire Officer 3 Jesson Albios Casane, who was assigned in Isabela City, was arrested, several members of the BFP had previously been apprehended due to almost the same modus operandi.)

“Dahil dito, inaatasan ko si Fire Director Louie Puracan na maging mahigpit sa recruitment at selection process,” the Interior Secretary ordered.

(Because of this, I am instructing Fire Director Louie Puracan to be strict in the recruitment and selection process.)

“It should be ensured that only deserving and skilled individuals are recruited into their ranks,” Abalos said in Filipino.

The Chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also said any syndicate operating within the BFP should be dismantled.

He then advised aspiring applicants to the BFP to only apply at official offices.