BFP chief suspended over graft raps

Fire Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu, the deputy chief for operations of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), has been appointed as officer-in-charge (OIC), Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla said on Tuesday.

“He’s a capable OIC,” Remulla told the Inquirer, adding that they have yet to make a final choice on who will replace current BFP chief, Fire Director Jesus Fernandez, who is under preventive suspension for alleged graft and corruption.

BFP spokesperson Fire Supt. Anthony Arroyo said in a text message to the Inquirer that Kwan Tiu’s appointment took effect on March 16 based on a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

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Earlier this month, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed cases against Fernandez before the Office of the Ombudsman. He was charged with graft and corruption after he allegedly received P14.7 million in kickbacks from the procurement of ambulances in 2024 while he was the chair of the BFP’s bids and awards committee.