ILOILO City – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Region 6 expressed support to the call of Secretary of Interior and Local Government (SILG) Benjamin Abalos Jr. for colonels and generals of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to tender their courtesy resignation.
If the BFP is called to do the same, he will do it, said BFP regional director, Chief Superintendent Jerry D. Candido.
“Public office is a public trust. All public officials shall perform their duties and functions with transparency and serve the public with the utmost integrity. It is on this premise that the undersigned unconditionally supports the call,” read part of Candido’s official statement.
The director said the fight against illegal drugs is arduous.
In an interview with Panay News yesterday, Candido said, “Why should I be afraid nga mag-tender sang resignation?”
Abalos’ call seeks to cleanse the PNP of scalawags, particularly those involved in illegal drugs.
For Candido, not heeding the DILG secretary’s call will make it more difficult to eradicate illegal drugs.
In the BFP-6, he said he has zero tolerance for illegal drugs and conducts regular monitoring through random drug testing of 2,445 fire personnel in the region.
Last year, two of his personnel tested positive for illegal drug use; they were subsequently fired.
Meanwhile, the December 2022 drug test among BFP-6 personnel showed that none tested positive for illegal drug use.
“I’m very happy personally [nga] wala sang nag-positive, negative kami tanan. So by making my statement at least I can help and mahagan-hagan ang task ni Secretary Abalos in fighting illegal drug trade,” Candido stated./PN
