Sinas, 2 generals face criminal raps

Over NCRPO chief’s birthday feast

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas and two generals involved in the controversial “mañanita” during his birthday gathering last week amid the coronavirus lockdown will be facing criminal charges, Malacañang announced yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, citing a conversation with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, said a criminal case is being readied against Sinas and other police officials who attended the feast.

“The case is expected to be filed tomorrow (Friday),” Roque said.

The PNP is seeking clearance from the Office of the President regarding the possible filing of an administrative complaint for grave misconduct against the officials for allegedly violating quarantine protocols.

Roque said there is a need to seek clearance from the President since Sinas is a third level officer and a presidential appointee.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea ordered the PNP to submit to his office results of the probe.

“I think it is a significant development that no less than the executive secretary has ordered the investigation and the results be forwarded to his office,” Roque said.

The Internal Affairs Service (IAS), which is finalizing its investigation of the incident, will file the charges, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a Viber message.

IAS chief Alfegar Triambulo said they plan to file the charges today before the Taguig City prosecutor’s office.

Triambulo said they brought in more lawyers to finish the investigation swiftly.

Apart from Sinas and the two generals with one-star rank, other members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) command group will be included in the charge sheet, Triambulo said.

The IAS is looking into violations of Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act for the charges to be filed against the police officials.

‘Photos worth a thousand words’

The main evidence, Triambulo said, are the photographs taken during Sinas’ birthday fete at the NCRPO headquarters on May 8.

The pictures, which were uploaded on the NCRPO’s Facebook page but taken down following the controversy, were authenticated by police officers who were present during the event.

According to Triambulo, the pictures constitute strong evidence that physical distancing and other quarantine guidelines were not observed by the police officers.

“It is easy because a picture is worth a thousand words,” Triambulo said.

Sinas keeps post for now

Even if Sinas is facing charges, he is not yet relieved from his post.

“Preventive suspension in times of national emergency is lifted,” a source said.

Despite issuing an apology, Sinas maintained that he sees nothing wrong with the gathering.

He said it would be “ungentlemanly” of him if he did not face his well-wishers.

“Nonetheless, I take responsibility for that ayoko na sisihin ang mga tao ko kasi they just greeted me,” Sinas said.

Sinas would remain at his post for now, according to Banac.

He said the option to sack Sinas would depend on the results of the probe.

The IAS on Wednesday started its probe by getting the names of the people who attended Sinas’ birthday gathering and inspecting the venue.

With 10 lawyers on the investigating team, Triambulo is confident they will be able to come up soon with initial results.

Sinas drew public outrage over his birthday fete while the people are forced to stay at home and mass gatherings are banned as part of lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus disease 2019.

He said what happened was not a party but a mañanita, a tradition in the uniformed service where officers are serenaded by their subordinates on their birthday.

Banac admitted that the controversy affected the PNP.

“This would have an effect on the public perception of the PNP,” he said.

PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar appealed to the public to spare the police force from insults.

“I am saddened that the incident has turned into misinterpretation and accusations that there is a double standard in the implementation of the quarantine guidelines,” he said.

Eleazar reminded police officers to exercise due diligence in their actions in the wake of the controversy Sinas is facing.

Rights advocates said Sinas should be disciplined for violating quarantine regulations.

“He recklessly endangered his friends and subordinates during the gathering. He damaged the morale of the PNP by celebrating his birthday like there’s no pandemic,” Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said. – Romina Cabrera, Rhodina Villanueva

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