The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is turning up the heat on miscreants in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

On Monday, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that formal administrative charges have been filed against 12 BFP officials over alleged corruption in recruitment and inspections.

At a press briefing held at the Quezon City Reception House, Remulla said that in BFP Region VIII, four former senior officials are facing charges over a “slot-for-sale scheme” during the recruitment in 2025 for Fire Officer 1.

Applicants reportedly had to pay P400,000 to P800,000 to secure a spot. All four officials are under 90-day preventive suspension to protect the integrity of the investigation. A video presented by the DILG legal team showed messages between a complainant and the officials discussing the payments.

In BFP Region X, six officials were charged for recruitment irregularities, including approving applicants without the required medical, physical, and dental clearances, and failing to release exam results properly. Their preventive suspensions will be evaluated based on their submitted responses.

In BFP Region IV-A, two officials are facing charges for irregularities in fire safety inspections in violation of established inspection protocols. While in BFP Region I, a fire officer allegedly demanded P90,000 for a recruitment slot and is now under a 90-day preventive suspension.

So far, the DILG Task Force overseeing BFP accountability has received about 40 complaints, with 21 already referred to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for investigation.

Remulla said these moves are part of a sustained effort to enforce accountability, uphold merit-based recruitment, and restore public trust in the BFP.

He also announced that BFP national head Fire Director Jesus Fernandez will face charges, with a replacement to be named following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval.