Cebu city: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday said the Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed a fire inspector from the service after he was arrested by the bureau last June for demanding money from applicants seeking to become fire safety officers.

According to Philippines News Agency, the NBI stated that the Ombudsman found Roy Sangueza Castro administratively liable for violating Section 7 (d) of Republic Act (RA) 6713, which outlines the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Castro has been penalized with perpetual disqualification from holding any public office. Additionally, his retirement benefits, excluding accrued leave credits, have been forfeited. His civil service eligibility has been canceled, and he is prohibited from taking any civil service examinations in the future.

The NBI Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI-CEVRO) arrested the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) official after a complaint was filed by a BFP applicant. The complaint alleged that Castro demanded PHP400,000 in exchange for the approval of her application to become a Fire Safety Officer.

The complainant reported that Castro referred to the demanded amount as “thanksgiving money” for her inclusion in the final roster of candidates set to be sworn in as Fire Safety Officers. The demands were communicated through persistent phone calls and messages.

On June 27, 2025, NBI-CEVRO agents conducted an entrapment operation in Cebu City, resulting in Castro’s arrest. Subsequently, cases for violation of Section 3 of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), direct bribery under Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code, and grave misconduct under RA 6713 were filed with the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.