FIREFIGHTERS engaged in illegal activities like drugs will face sanctions and dismissal from service if proven guilty of the charges.
Senior Fire Supt. Samuel Tadeo, regional director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), said this in response to the arrest of Senior Fire Officer Roel Dieparine last Sunday.
Dieparine, who was detailed at the Danao City Fire Station, was arrested by operatives of the regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7) in Danao City for possession of unlicensed firearms.
He was also linked to a gang selling improvised “paltik” firearms in Danao City.
Tadeo said he was surprised when he learned about Dieparine’s arrest.
“It’s an embarrassment for us at the BFP. But rest assured we don’t tolerate those errant personnel. We will dismiss them from service,” Tadeo said.
Tadeo said he is planning a series of surprise drug tests on BFP personnel to ensure that no one within the organization is using or selling illegal drugs.
He said a fireman tested positive for drug use last February and is now facing investigation at their central office in Manila.