MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced it will file complaints against 45 current and former officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) over the alleged anomalous procurement of fire trucks between 2018 and 2024. The move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to crack down on corruption in government agencies.

On March 19, 2026, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed in a press conference that the complaints will be lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman. The cases stem from what he described as irregularities in the purchase of fire trucks, which allegedly involved overpricing and questionable bidding processes.

Remulla stressed that the government will not tolerate corruption in agencies tasked with public safety. “Ang kaligtasan ng publiko ay hindi negosyo. Ngayong araw, pinuputol na natin ang isang malawakang sistema ng panlalamang sa Bureau of Fire Protection,” he said, underscoring that the procurement anomalies compromised both public funds and the ability of the BFP to respond effectively to emergencies.

The DILG chief added that the evidence gathered points to “slam dunk” graft and corruption cases, noting that the irregularities persisted for years under different administrations. He emphasized that accountability must be enforced to restore public trust in the BFP.

The alleged anomalies reportedly involved contracts worth billions of pesos, with fire trucks procured at inflated prices compared to market standards. Investigators also flagged inconsistencies in the bidding process, raising suspicions of collusion among officials and suppliers.

The announcement has drawn strong reactions from lawmakers and civil society groups, who welcomed the move as a step toward cleaning up government procurement practices. Transparency advocates urged the Ombudsman to expedite the investigation and ensure that those found guilty face appropriate sanctions.

For the BFP, the controversy comes at a time when fire incidents across the country remain high, particularly during the dry season. Critics argue that corruption in procurement undermines the agency’s capacity to protect lives and property, making accountability even more urgent.

As the complaints move forward, the case is expected to become one of the largest corruption probes involving a frontline public safety agency in recent years. The outcome will likely set a precedent for how the government addresses procurement irregularities in other departments.