DILG panels to probe BFP, BJMP 'anomalies'

Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim created two panels yesterday to conduct separate investigations into alleged anomalies at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Lim tasked Under-secretary for Public Safety Rafaelito Garayblas to lead the inquiry into the allegedly irregular procurement of equipment and supplies by BFP director Raymundo Padua.

On the other hand, Lim ordered Assistant Secretaries Alex Padilla and Reynaldo Jaylo to verify the complaints of jail personnel on the alleged malversation of BJMP funds.

Lim gave the investigating teams until Friday to come up with their recommendations.

He assured BJMP personnel of a fair investigation into the alleged diversion of the agency's funds.

"The only thing I can assure them is a fair trial and a fair judgment. We will deal with the perpetrators accordingly," he said.

In a letter to Lim, BJMP personnel complained that their director, Chief Superintendent Aquilino Jacob, failed to remit their contributions, amounting to P21 million, to the Armed Forces Savings and Loan Association (AFSLAI) from September to December last year.

Jacob has admitted that he, indeed, failed to remit the amount, saying he was forced to use the money for salaries of jail personnel during the same period.