MANILA – Despite his supposed involvement in community quarantine violation, Major General Debold Sinas will remain as chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Archie Gamboa said on Monday that Sinas will be “hard to replace” as Metro Manila top cop especially with country in the middle of coronavirus disease pandemic.
“Yes, I hope the public would understand kasi nandito tayo sa emergency situation; pag palitan mo siya, we will never know. Napakahirap palitan dahil ang dami niyang programa in relation to COVID,” Gamboa said in an interview with DZMM Teleradyo.
He added that Sinas was responsible in putting to stop illegal gambling when he occupied the NCRPO top post.
“I hope ma-validate ito ng publiko na indeed walang nangyaring suhulan pagdating sa illegal gambling dito sa NCR,” Gamboa said.
Aside from Sinas, 18 other police officers are facing charges of violation of City Ordinance No. 12, series of 2020, which imposes mandatory wearing of face masks and physical distancing, and Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, filed by the PNP-Internal Affairs Service before the Taguig City Prosecutors’ Office on Friday.
Once found guilty, Gamboa assured that the police officers would be suspended and face forfeiture of pay.
Sinas received criticisms after photos of his birthday celebration on May 8 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City – which he had labeled as a simple “mañanita” or early morning serenade – went viral online last week.
The pictures were initially uploaded on the Facebook page of NCRPO’s public information office where police officers were seen giving Sinas roses and cakes while other photos were seen Sinas mingling with guests seated at various tables.
Sinas has apologized for the incident, but claimed he found “nothing wrong” with the gathering, saying proper social distancing and health measures were followed by the guests./PN
