Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28)— A Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officer was arrested during an entrapment operation for his alleged involvement in a “recruitment-for-a-fee scam,” the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday.
Fire Officer 3 Jesson Albios Casanes, 35, who is assigned in Isabela City, was nabbed on Monday at Purok Crossing, Bgy. Sicade, Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur.
The suspect allegedly received ₱400,000 cash from a victim who applied to him for a job at the BFP.
\”Kaugnay nito ay 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,\” DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday.
[Translation: \”In this regard, I warn those who are planning to do or are currently doing illegal activities in the BFP: Stop your illegal activities before it is too late. You will be caught and I will make sure that you are held accountable to the law.]
Meanwhile, the DILG chief added that there were also arrests this year involving fire officers using the same modus.
The BFP said that in October, Fire Officer 1 Ramces Paul Benipayo, assigned at the Muntinlupa Fire Station, was arrested for receiving ₱200,000 from a co-firefighter from Western Visayas for a \”job promotion.\”
Another case involved Fire Officer 1 Karla Rodriguez, assigned to Eastern Samar, who was also apprehended for allegedly receiving ₱150,000 from a female applicant.
Abalos said the BFP should be cautious in recruiting applicants, adding that he has directed the BFP to implement a tougher selection process.
