P400 trillion demanded from applicant fire officer falls in entrapment

CEBU, Philippines — A fire inspector was apprehended during an entrapment operation yesterday afternoon for allegedly extorting P400,000 from a fire officer applicant.

National Bureau of Investigation Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI-CEVRO, which conducted the entrapment inside a Cebu City restaurant, identified the suspect as Inspector Roy Mat Castro from the Fire Safety Enforcement Section (FSES) of the Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO).

The operation was carried out following the complaint of Rochelle Quimbo, who accused Castro of demanding P400,000 from her, supposedly so she would make it to the final list of applicants who would join the oathtaking.

In a sworn statement, Quimbo mentioned how Castro persuaded her to pay before the oathtaking, promising that she would be among the passers.

After complaining to the NBI, operatives arranged for Quimbo to meet the suspect at around 2:15 p.m. to deliver the initial payment of P200,000. CCTV footage captured Castro giving his bag to Quimbo in order for her to put inside the entrapment money herself.

According to NBI-7 agent Atty. Wenceslao Galendez, Castro denied the allegations on receiving the money, saying it was all his money in the bag.

“He denied nga iya tong kwarta, (nga) iya tong bag, (that) he did not receive the money. But, of course, we could establish nga iyaha tong bag, he was actually the one who gave the bag to the complainant para isulod ang entrapment money,” Galendez said.

NBI-CEVRO filed charges against Castro for violating Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and for direct bribery under Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code. Administrative cases for grave misconduct under RA 6713 before the Office of the Ombudsman was also filed yesterday.

NBI-7 Director Atty. Renan Augustus Oliva, on the other hand, ensured that they would further investigate the matter since they received other allegations on the wrongdoing.

“We will investigate that… This is a continuing investigation not only about this matter, this money for job opportunity, but we have other allegations also that we will continue to investigate,” he said,

He likewise urged the public to coordinate with the NBIif they experience the same thing, so that if they know anyone or have any information, they come to the office and file a complaint.

According to Fire Chief Roberto Genave, the director of the BFP 7, the incident was indeed “bad news” and could tarnish their image not just to Region-7 but the entirety of the agency.

“I would say again and again we do not tolerate such unlawful activities,” said Genave.

The BFP ensures that they have established a stringent recruitment process so the only the most qualified candidates become firefighters.

The process includes an initial examination to screen applicants, followed by a physical agility test to confirm their fitness for the role. A neuropsychological examination assesses mental capacity and emotional stability, and a subsequent medical and mental examination ensures overall health and suitability.

Also, part of the process is the background investigation and final interview to guarantee that the candidates would be assets of the group.

Furthermore, the regional director clearly mentioned that the application process s within the regional office and it will not be affected by any illegal activities.

“We don't have those opportunities na maapektuhan kami ng other people outside. No people should visit me for the purpose of endorsing applicants,” he added.

“The Bureau of Fire Protection in Region-7 is providing an equal opportunity for all applicants who wish to be part of the Bureau of Fire Protection because of your Merit and fitness. So, rest assured we will continue this process and we will provide a much stricter measure in order for us to have people who can truly serve,” Genave further said (CEBU NEWS)