Duterte won’t sack Sinas over quarantine breach

MANILA, Philippines — Embattled Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas will stay at his post despite the criminal charges filed against him and criticism he received from the public for supposedly breaching quarantine protocols during his birthday gathering on May 8, President Duterte announced on Tuesday night.

“You say, the law is the law. Well, that’s mine. It’s my responsibility. But I will not order his transfer. He stays there until further orders,” Duterte said. “Ako ‘yung ayaw na malipat siya.”

Duterte said he would not fire the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), adding Sinas is an honest and competent officer.

“It was not his fault that his fellow officers and subordinates wanted to serenade him on his birthday,” Duterte said.

Despite reminding the public to follow health and safety protocols, the President said he does not see anything wrong if the guests during Sinas’ birthday feast were photographed not wearing face masks.

“It’s normal to remove your face mask when you eat. Alangan naman kainin nila pati ‘yung masks. Natural tatanggalin talaga nila, kainan iyon eh,” Duterte said.

He said he is not in favor of relieving Sinas from his post over the controversy.

Duterte said he needs Sinas in the NCRPO to oversee the peace and order in Metro Manila during the modified enhanced community quarantine.

“Pinag-aralan ko ‘yung merits and demerits. Kailangan ko ‘yung tao. Mas kailangan ko iyong tao dito sa trabaho niya,” Duterte said.

Sinas thanks Rody

Sinas said he was grateful to President Duterte for trusting him amid calls for his ouster.

“I would like to thank him for the trust and confidence. I’m happy that the President recognized our efforts,” Sinas told reporters.

He said Duterte’s support boosted his morale.

Sinas called on his detractors to move on, saying he has apologized for the incident.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the quarantine violations allegedly committed by Sinas eroded the credibility of the PNP and Inter-Agency Task Force in implementing safety measures, which aim to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Criminal, admin raps

The Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will not withdraw the cases filed against Sinas even if President Duterte came to his defense, IAS chief Alfegar Triambulo said yesterday.

Triambulo said he understood the President’s decision to retain Sinas as NCRPO chief as the country is facing a national health emergency.

“The President said the law is the law. So ibig sabihin let the law run its course,” Triambulo said in a phone interview.

He noted that some police officers who were supposed to be suspended for minor offenses were also ordered to report back to duty.

The IAS said Sinas and 18 other police officers may be held liable for violating Republic Act 111332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act as well as a local ordinance mandating the wearing of face masks and observance of physical distancing under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

They are also facing administrative complaint for less neglect of duty and less grave misconduct.

The PNP agrees with Triambulo that the cases against Sinas must continue.

“Yan ay tungkulin ng IAS na tapusin ang kanilang imbestigasyon at kailangan umusad ang proseso,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said.

The PNP welcomed the President’s decision not to remove Sinas from his post.

Human rights group Karapatan said Sinas must be held accountable not only for the breach of quarantine protocols, but also for supposed human rights violations committed during his stint as Central Visayas police chief.

NBI probe

The National Bureau of Investigation will push through with its probe of Sinas based on the evidence presented, NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin said.

Lavin said a lawyer from the NCRPO dropped by the NBI anti-graft division office yesterday to submit Sinas’ answer to the complaint filed against him.

Asked if Sinas is off the hook since the President absolved him by keeping him in his post, Lavin said, “the NBI would proceed with the investigation.”

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the NBI to look into the quarantine breach allegedly committed by Sinas. Emmanuel Tupas, Neil Jayson Servallos, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Elizabeth Marcelo, Marc Jayson Cayabyab

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