Bicol: The Bureau of Fire Protection in Bicol (BFP-5) reported on Friday the arrest of an alleged illegal recruiter who was demanding money from applicants for the BFP during an entrapment operation carried out on Thursday. In a phone interview, BFP-5 Director Achilles Santiago said the suspect, known as alias Liezel, was apprehended for violating Republic Act 9160 (robbery extortion).

According to Philippines News Agency, the arrested individual engaged in illegal activity by falsely claiming to be affiliated with BFP officials and allegedly soliciting money from applicants with the promise of guaranteed employment in the BFP. Santiago said the relatives of BFP applicants gave large sums of money to the suspect in exchange for qualifying as fire officers.

"There were two complainants, each of whom gave PHP300,000, totaling PHP600,000. They paid the money, but their names did not appear among the qualified applicants," Santiago stated. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, as well as the operations and regional legal office of BFP Bicol.

Santiago emphasized, "I hope people understand that applying to the bureau involves a legal process, and they should not pay any money. The only payments required are for medical, dental, laboratory, neuro, and drug tests. There is no large sum of money that can guarantee admission, as there is no such provision in the process." In Bicol, Santiago noted that there are 2,459 fire marshals and personnel.