MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno has relieved the director of the Fire National Training Institute (FNTI) at Camp Vicente Lim in Canlubang, Laguna amid complaints of hazing of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) trainees.
“We do not condone any form of hazing in any of the police, fire and jail training institutions under the DILG,” Puno said.
Fire Superintendent Wilberto Rico Kwan Tiu, FNTI director, and 11 tactical officers of the institute have been reassigned to the BFP national headquarters to undergo further investigation.
Puno made the move after nine trainees submitted sworn statements to the BFP’s Internal Affairs Service, complaining about physical and psychological suffering or injuries in the hands of some FNTI tactical officers.
Puno appointed Senior Superintendent Richard Villanueva, former La Union fire marshal, to replace Kwan Tiu.
The 11 tactical officers were identified as Chief Inspector David Aris, Senior Inspectors Lowyn Amoyan and Orlando Antonio, Inspectors Sonny Cando, Josephus Alburo, Rowella Dinolan, Ellafil Libarnes, Heidi Lyn Virtudes and Eric Sabian, SFO4 Arnel Rojas, and SFO1 Romeo Molina.