Manila: Close to a thousand active and retired Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) employees, including its chief, will face criminal charges over alleged anomalies inside the agency, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday. "I will be filing charges against the chief of the BFP, Jesus Fernandez, also to his deputies, also the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)," Remulla stated during a press briefing.

According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla revealed that Director Fernandez, prior to his role as chief of the BFP, was the head of the procuring entity and the Bids and Awards Committee. Remulla intends to request President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to replace Fernandez due to these allegations. The BFP, which operates under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is at the center of these upcoming legal actions, with cases expected to be filed as soon as next week.

"Our case build-up is complete, we should be ready to file cases against the Bids and Awards Committee from 2014 to 2025 for bid rigging. We are ready. What we have, our proof, is solid," Remulla asserted. He highlighted that most of the implicated personnel are based in Metro Manila, although the respondents will come from various BFP units across the nation.

Remulla also mentioned the preparation of administrative charges specifically against the entire BFP unit in Silang, Cavite, due to an alleged money-making racket that has reportedly victimized small businessmen, including one of his nephews. "The entire organization has been affected. So, it will take time bago maayos natin ito (before we can fix this). But, slowly, we're getting there," he concluded, emphasizing the need for reform within the agency.