DILG Exposes New BFP Extortion Tactic Targeting Philippine Businesses
In a startling revelation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a stern warning to business owners across the Philippines about a sophisticated new extortion scheme operating within the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). This development comes despite a recent order mandating BFP personnel to wear body-worn cameras during inspections, a measure specifically designed to combat bribery and irregularities.
Body Cameras Fail to Deter Corrupt Practices
During a press conference held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that corrupt activities have persisted unabated. "Ninety-nine percent still complain," Remulla stated emphatically. "Do you know why? Because what's happening now is the fire extinguisher vendors go first."
The DILG's investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern: vendors are preemptively visiting business establishments—including stores, clinics, and various enterprises—ahead of scheduled inspections by BFP personnel equipped with body cameras. These vendors allegedly inform business owners that fire inspectors are imminent and offer guaranteed compliance in exchange for purchasing their products.
A Call to Action for Business Owners
Secretary Remulla issued a direct appeal to the business community, urging them to document and report these predatory encounters immediately. "If you see someone selling a fire extinguisher before the inspector arrives, video it and call 911 immediately," he instructed. "Don't be afraid, we will protect you."
Remulla emphasized that combating these schemes requires the active cooperation of the entire business sector, from small family-run shops to large corporations. He revealed a personal connection to the issue, noting that one victim of this modus operandi is his own nephew operating a business in Cavite.
Systemic Corruption Within BFP
The scope of the problem appears extensive. Remulla indicated that approximately 1,000 BFP personnel may face complaints related to these illegal activities. This is in addition to 40 BFP officials and personnel scheduled to face charges before the Office of the Ombudsman next week for corruption allegations spanning the past decade.
Those facing charges include officials from the BFP national headquarters, some retirees, and members of the Bids and Awards Committee from 2014 to 2025. According to Remulla, the BFP receives over P15 million in kickbacks annually from various illegal schemes.
Impact on Small and Medium Enterprises
The DILG chief described the corruption within BFP as "cancerous" and systemic, particularly affecting middle-scale businesses that often comply with demands to avoid operational disruptions. "Ninety-nine percent of employers in the Philippines are small and medium-scale businesses," Remulla noted. "One hundred percent of them are victims of the BFP."
He detailed how the corruption cycle perpetuates itself: "When you enter, you immediately pay 500,000. If you don't have the money, you recover it through fire inspections or whatever extortion they impose. It becomes systemic, structural."
A Pledge for Comprehensive Reform
Despite the challenges, Remulla expressed determination to root out corruption within the agency. "This must stop," he declared. "And I will not stop until we prevent all of this." He acknowledged that reforming the deeply entrenched system would take time but affirmed that progress is being made gradually.
The DILG's warning highlights the ongoing struggle against institutional corruption in Philippine regulatory bodies and underscores the need for vigilant business practices and robust governmental oversight to protect entrepreneurs from predatory schemes.
