DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (File photo)
MANILA – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Thursday ordered a deeper investigation into the firefighter arrested for allegedly promising officer slots in the Bureau of Fire Protection's (BFP) lateral entry program in exchange for a fee.
In a statement, Abalos expressed outrage over the act of the suspect Fire Officer 1 (FO1) Ramces Paul Benipayo, which he said is unacceptable.
"We will not tolerate this kind of illegal activity. That’s why I’ve already ordered the PNP (Philippine National Police) to work closely with the BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) to get to the bottom of this issue and prosecute everyone involved. Walang puwang sa gobyerno natin at sa DILG or sa BFP for that matter ang mga katulad niya (There is no place for people like him in the DILG and in our government),” the DILG chief said.
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the BFP's Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) nabbed Benipayo in an entrapment in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday afternoon.
Benipayo’s modus is to convince his would-be victims to give him money in exchange for a non-existent promotion, which he claimed would be facilitated by his “contacts” in the BFP.
Abalos ordered a thorough investigation into the case and background of Benipayo to determine if he has indeed cohorts in the BFP.
This came after IID head Chief Supt. Gilbert Dolot reported that three more complainants came forward and accused the suspect.
Benipayo is facing an administrative case from the BFP and is currently under preventive suspension pending investigation. He may be dismissed if found guilty.
He also faces criminal complaints for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and estafa in relation to RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Law) before the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor's Office.
He is currently detained at the CIDG detention facility. (PNA)
