Philippine Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos stated that more than 200 fire bureau personnel, including all regional directors, are under investigation in connection with a corruption scandal involving the alleged 'sale of job positions' during the bureau's recruitment process.
At a press conference held at Camp Crame on Friday, Abalos warned bureau personnel not to continue engaging in extortion or other criminal activities during recruitment and promotion processes, or they would face severe punishment according to the law.
He said: "I warn all fire bureau officials, come forward and admit your mistakes now, or we will investigate you to the end, until the end of your career."
He pointed out that anyone confirmed to be involved in the 'job selling' scheme would be dismissed from their position.
Abalos emphasized that if a person's career begins with corruption, such corrupt practices may continue, so the authorities will thoroughly revamp the bureau internally and launch a large-scale cleansing operation.
He said that currently the fire bureau and Philippine National Police have not yet finalized the number of ongoing 'job selling' cases under investigation.
The investigation stemmed from a recent police operation in Pampanga province. An officer from the National Capital Region Fire Bureau was arrested, suspected of asking for 500,000 pesos in exchange for securing a position for an applicant in the Central Luzon Fire Bureau.
At the same press conference, acting fire bureau chief Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu stated that the involved personnel have already been relieved from their posts and are facing dismissal proceedings.
He said the fire bureau and police also arrested another senior officer in the Ilocos Norte region, who had previously been dismissed from the bureau.
However, he did not disclose further details about the case.
He said: "I warn all fire bureau officials, come forward and admit your mistakes now, or we will investigate you to the end, until the end of your career."
He pointed out that anyone confirmed to be involved in the 'job selling' scheme would be dismissed from their position.
Abalos emphasized that if a person's career begins with corruption, such corrupt practices may continue, so the authorities will thoroughly revamp the bureau internally and launch a large-scale cleansing operation.
He said that currently the fire bureau and Philippine National Police have not yet finalized the number of ongoing 'job selling' cases under investigation.
The investigation stemmed from a recent police operation in Pampanga province. An officer from the National Capital Region Fire Bureau was arrested, suspected of asking for 500,000 pesos in exchange for securing a position for an applicant in the Central Luzon Fire Bureau.
At the same press conference, acting fire bureau chief Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu stated that the involved personnel have already been relieved from their posts and are facing dismissal proceedings.
He said the fire bureau and police also arrested another senior officer in the Ilocos Norte region, who had previously been dismissed from the bureau.
However, he did not disclose further details about the case.