Nearly 40 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), including some who have already retired, are under investigation for alleged corruption that may have spanned several years, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

Remulla said the probe is part of a broader push for institutional reforms and accountability within the BFP, aimed at correcting systemic weaknesses while protecting the integrity of the agency.

The reforms, he said, were deemed necessary following the uncovering of alleged irregularities, including reports published by Daily Tribune. The investigation seeks to dismantle what Remulla described as an alleged “organized crime syndicate” that developed over time within certain areas of the BFP.

According to Remulla, the alleged anomalies involve the recruitment process, procurement of assets, and the issuance of fire safety permits.

“Naging organized crime syndicate na sa loob ng BFP ang ginawa ng iilan. Iyan ang binubuwag natin ngayon bilang bahagi ng reporma,” Remulla said.

He explained that the ongoing probe follows a reform-driven approach similar to what was previously implemented in the Philippine National Police, where internal cleansing efforts focused on removing organized criminal elements while preserving institutional stability and professionalism.

Once the case buildup is completed, appropriate charges will be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, Remulla said.

He noted that the alleged corruption is rooted in weaknesses in the BFP’s bids and awards process, particularly the limited number of suppliers involved in the procurement of fire assets over an extended period. These findings, he said, highlight the need to strengthen systems, processes, and safeguards to ensure transparency and fair competition.

To address the issue, Remulla vowed to reinforce and clean up the bids and awards committee as part of wider institutional reforms to improve accountability in the procurement of government assets and services.

He also called on BFP personnel to support the reform process, stressing that cooperation is vital to restoring trust in the institution.

“Hindi ako galit sa inyo. Galit ako sa korapsyon,” Remulla said. “Ang tinatama natin ay iyong mga maling sistema at ang iilan na pinagsamantalahan ang kanilang posisyon.”

“I am only working for the integrity of the institution, not to besmirch anyone’s personality,” he added.

Remulla emphasized that the vast majority of BFP personnel remain honest and dedicated public servants, noting that about 99 percent of the agency’s roughly 40,000 fire personnel are not involved in the alleged anomalies.

“These reforms are necessary to protect the institution, support our firefighters who serve with integrity, and ensure that public trust in the BFP is strengthened through accountability,” Remulla said.