BFP officer nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officer has been arrested for allegedly demanding P150,000 from an applicant who wanted to join the bureau.

The BFP said on Thursday the 36-year-old Fire Officer 3 assigned to the Ilocos Region was arrested in an entrapment in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on Aug. 5.

“During the operation, the victim handed the marked money inside a vehicle. The suspect noticed the approaching police and sped away and was eventually cornered. Investigators are still trying to locate the marked money, which may have been discarded during the pursuit,” the BFP added.

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It did not identify the suspect, noting only that he had previously been suspended over a similar case.

“In the past incident, he returned the money, which prevented a formal entrapment at that time,” the BFP said.

BFP officer in 6charge Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, meanwhile, reminded applicants that entry to the bureau is “strictly based on merit and fitness” as he asked the public to report any “recruitment irregularities.”