Vendor nabbed for posing as BFP officer selling fire extinguisher, refill

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A vendor in Sara, Iloilo found an ingenious way to sell his fire extinguishing products.

And what could be better than posing as a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officer.

However, Bernard Tito’s plan was busted before it could even take off.

Tito, 33, a resident of Barangay Crespo, Sara, Iloilo, was arrested in a police operation 4:30 p.m. of June 19 at Barangay Poblacion Ilawod, Sara.

Major Jose Nemias Pamplona, Sara police chief, said the suspect was arrested at an establishment where he tried to sell or offer to refill fire extinguishers.

Prior to that, the owner of the establishment inquired with the BFP if they have personnel who inspects and sells fire extinguishers.

Tito allegedly offered to refill the tank if the store already had a fire extinguisher.

But the BFP confirmed they have no personnel by that name, nor do they have personnel tasked to inspect and sell fire extinguishers.

The local BFP station then coordinated with the police to arrest Tito.

Pamplona said Tito did not present any identification card to his customer but only identified himself as a BFP personnel. He was supposed to “seal” the transaction when police arrested him.

An identification card stating that he was connected to Adept Enterprises was seized from Tito.

Pamplona said the suspect was with another person when he initially made the transaction but was alone during the police operation.

Police said the suspect made deals with two stores in Sara town.

“We couldn’t say if he used the same modus in other towns,” he said

Tito is now detained and will be charged for violation of Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (Usurpation of Authority).