Robredo demotes erring fire inspector

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said yesterday he has ordered the demotion and transfer of a Makati City fire safety inspector who was accused of making unnecessary demands on a beauty salon last year.

Upon Robredo’s orders, city fire marshal Superintendent Ricardo Perdigon relieved Fire Officer 3 Ronardo Ilagan from his post as the one in charge of issuing fire safety inspection certificates to work at the Tejeros fire substation as a nozzleman.

“I am encouraging all owners and officers of all business firms in the country to comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Code and to report to me all their complaints against fire safety inspectors and other fire officers engaged in shakedowns and extortion operations,” Robredo said.

Ilagan was accused by Cheryl Medina, a clerk of the Kazemi Face, Skin and Body Care Center, of twice ordering them to refill the salon’s fire extinguishers despite the fact that they bought their extinguishers from a reputable company. She also alleged that Ilagan asked P45,000 from her in exchange for a certificate.