NCRPO chief’s fate up to Palace

MANILA, Philippines — The fate of Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas is up to Malacañang, which will decide whether an administrative complaint should be filed against him and if he should keep his post, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday.

Roque said the Palace is waiting for the results of the probe of Sinas by the Internal Affairs Service.

He declined to comment on the decision of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa to keep Sinas in his post.

“I ask for indulgence because the Palace will decide whether an administrative case would be pursued. That will also determine whether General Sinas would be relieved or not. I would rather not comment to avoid prejudgment,” Roque said.

Sinas, along with 18 other police officers, including five generals are facing charges of less grave neglect of duty and less grave misconduct for allegedly violating guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine when his subordinates held a “mañanita” during his birthday gatheringon May 8.

They face suspension of up to 60 days if found guilty.

The administrative complaint against Sinas and the other generals were forwarded to Malacañang for clearance.

PNP chief: Sinas ‘hard to replace’

Sinas will keep his post even if he is facing criminal charges for supposedly violating lockdown protocols as he is “hard to replace” given the health crisis the country is facing, Gamboa said yesterday.

In defending his decision, Gamboa appealed for understanding from the public, saying he could not replace Sinas as commander of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

According to Gamboa, Sinas has played a vital role in mitigating the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

“Napakahirap palitan dahil madami siyang programa in relation to COVID-19,” Gamboa said in a radio interview.

He said Sinas was the first police official who established a quarantine facility for police officers suspected to be infected with the virus.

Sinas is also actively monitoring the health conditions of NCRPO personnel who were found positive for the respiratory illness.

“Kahapon (Sunday) tumawag siya dahil  meron siyang 40 positive na tao na kailangan i-admit sa Camp Crame,” Gamboa said.

At least 234 police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 with four deaths and 69 recoveries. Of the number, only two exhibited symptoms of the virus. The rest were asymptomatic.

Gamboa also cited Sinas’ performance against illegal gambling operations in Metro Manila. Emmanuel Tupas