AND VICTOR REYES
PRESIDENTIAL spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday said charges are set to be filed against National Capital Region police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas and other senior police officials who attended a birthday celebration last week that violated protocols spelled out in the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.
“Per my latest conversation with Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Archie Gamboa, a criminal case is now being readied to be filed tomorrow (Friday) against NCRPO chief Debold Sinas, along with other senior police officials who attended the gathering,” Roque said in a statement.
Gamboa said initial investigation showed probable cause to pursue criminal and administrative charges against Sinas and other police officers who attended the controversial party held to celebrate Sinas’ 55th birthday on Friday last week.
“Per initial assessment, there is probable cause for the filing of criminal and administrative charges in relation to quarantine health protocols. IAS personnel are now in NCRPO gathering affidavits as support documents to file these cases,” added Gamboa.
PNP Internal Affairs Service Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said the agency is set to recommend the filing of criminal and administrative against Sinas and other police officials who attended the party.
Triambulo said the IAS may submit today, Friday, its recommendation to Gamboa to charge Sinas and several other officials criminally and administratively. He added it will be up to Gamboa to file the charges.
“I expect to receive a complete investigation report of the incident by tomorrow (Friday),” Gamboa said as he vowed to hold accountable Sinas and the officers for their individual culpability.
Gamboa said the recommendation to pursue administrative charges against Sinas and the other officers will be forwarded to President Duterte for his approval.
Sinas drew flak from various sectors, including netizens, who criticized him for violating the quarantines rules he was supposed to be implementing. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday also criticized the party, saying it was “uncalled for” in the midst of the pandemic.
Año, however, said yesterday he does not see the need to relieve Sinas as chief of the NCRPO.
In a phone interview, Año said it was easy to relieve Sinas if the country is in an “ordinary situation” but it’s hard to do it now, noting that the country is fighting the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Roque said the Office of the President has given the clearance for the filing of charges against Sinas and other officers who attended the event.
“Major General Sinas is a third level officer and a presidential appointee; hence, a clearance from the OP is needed for the filing of administrative charges of the PNP. The same applies to the senior police officials who are also presidential appointees,” he added.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea had initially asked the IAS to submit to Malacañang its investigation findings on the event.
Roque said the incident was “a significant development” as the Executive Secretary himself had directed the PNP-Internal Affairs Service to investigate and furnish his office with a copy of the results of the probe.
While the IAS is set to recommend charges, Triambulo ruled out the relief of Sinas for now, saying he performing well in his job as NCRPO commander.
“This is a very delicate matter. If we commit a mistake (by relieving him), the public will be at the losing end. He is implementing the rules in the government’s fight against COVID (in Metro Manila),” said Triambulo.
“We cannot deny that he is performing well,” Triambulo added of Sinas, who apologized for the event last Wednesday.
Sinas, along with dozens of police officials and personnel, held a party on May 8 at the NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig to celebrate his 55th birthday.
Photos from the event that were posted on the Facebook page of the NCRPO-Public Information Office (NCRPO-PIO) showed that apart from violating the prohibition on mass gathering, those who were present failed to observe social distancing and wearing of masks.
Triambulo said the authenticated pictures of the “mananita” held for Sinas showed violations of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, particularly mass gathering, social distancing and wearing of face mask. The mañanita is a tradition in the AFP and PNP to greet officials celebrating their birthday.
“A picture speaks a thousand words. A picture speaks for itself,” Triambulo said.
AÑO EXPLAINS
“Given an ordinary situation, that’s easy but we are in a crisis. He is one of the players in this fight (against the virus) so that’s the consideration,” said Año, adding that he is leaving the decision whether to relieve Sinas or not to PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa.
“In fairness to General Sinas, minus this ‘mañanita’ (early morning serenade) thing, he’s really doing good. The success of the implementation of ECQ in Metro Manila can be attributed to him, the control of the spread of the virus,” said Año.
Año said Sinas is doing a fine job as NCRPO chief but added he is not used to approaching the media to report his accomplishments, including those in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
“I cannot say anything bad against him. He is really a hard worker, he just works silently… I tested him and I have seen him doing the toughest jobs that no one would like to face. He always does the job,” Año said.
Año added hat Sinas cannot influence the conduct of the probe to be conducted by the IAS, thus there is no need for him to be removed as NCRPO chief.
Triambulo said the IAS is in the process of identifying the individuals who attended the party and gathering the pictures taken during the party.
“We shall refrain from issuing further statements in deference to the proceedings. Allow the investigation to take its due course and respect our prerogative to exercise command management of the PNP,” Gamboa said.
“The transition from ECQ to MECQ to GCQ will entail greater vigilance on our part to keep the Filipino public safe. The incident, while unfortunate, is isolated and should not undermine the sacrifice of our own frontliners,” said Gamboa.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac has vowed an impartial investigation on the case. He said apart from Sinas, all those present in the event will be investigated by the IAS.
“The assurance of the PNP is that the investigation will be impartial…We assure the public that there would be no cover-up,” said Banac.
“That’s uncalled for or unnecessary because we are under ECQ,” Banac said of the party.
“Our assurance to the public is that the investigation is ongoing and everybody would have to face the investigation and give their statements,” said Banac.
