DOJ, PNP order probe on Sinas’ birthday party for ECQ violations
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have ordered separate investigations on the alleged birthday party on May 8 of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas for violating Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) rules.
Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday
said he will order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into possible violations of quarantine protocols committed during the birthday celebration of Sinas.
“I will ask the NBI to look into this too,” Guevarra said. “There is already an existing order to the NBI to investigate violations of quarantine protocols,” he added.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa has directed the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to lead a probe of Sinas, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said. The IAS is an office under the PNP which is tasked to investigate wrongdoings of policemen.
The NCRPO posted on its Facebook page photographs of the birthday celebration held by Sinas, who turned 55, in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on May 8 despite the ongoing ban against mass gatherings. The photos and the post have since been taken down.
The DOJ chief said his previous instructions to the NBI had been “to look into all reported cases of noncooperation/violation of quarantine protocols, regardless of who is involved.”
“I will instruct the NBI to include more recent cases of alleged quarantine violations by some personalities, if the NBI is not looking into these cases as yet,” he assured.
“PNP chief General Archie Gamboa immediately directed the Inspector General of the Internal Affairs Service to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged violation of quarantine protocols during a PNP social event,” a PNP statement said.
Banac said that the IAS was already tasked to send a team of investigators to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to conduct an investigation on the reports that protocols on
physical distancing and mass gathering of persons were allegedly violated during Sinas’ birthday celebration.
On Tuesday, Gamboa defended Sinas saying those who went to the party observed physical distancing and that the guests were wearing face masks.
Gamboa apparently relied on the statement of Sinas that there was no birthday party.
The pictures posted on the NCRPO Facebook page, however, appeared to contradict Sinas’ claims as the photos showed the guests did not observe physical distancing and some of them were not even wearing face masks.
One of the photos also showed Sinas blowing the candles on his birthday cake. There were also photos of liquor on tables.
“He (Sinas) assured me that physical distancing was observed that time so if there are violations, then I will look into it but as of yet, I still trust General Sinas,” said Gamboa in a virtual press briefing on Tuesday.
But on Wednesday morning, Gamboa
ordered the probe after the incident became controversial and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año expressed displeasure over the incident, saying police officials should exercise a sense of propriety being in the frontline of the ECQ implementation.
“The PNP is not exempt from strict rules on mass gathering and I am directing all unit commanders to prohibit any and all social gatherings,” the PNP statement read.
“The Chief PNP strongly reiterates strict observance of all public health protocols and bio-safety standards by all personnel at all times,” it added. Apology
In a statement, Sinas said he was just caught up in a traditional Mañanita, “spontaneously conducted by some of my officers and men in their own volition” to celebrate his birthday.
But Sinas insisted those who attended were directed to observe social distancing and other precautionary health measures.
“Some of the pictures circulating in social media were edited and grabbed
from old posts. The pictures, however, [do] not define the totality of what really had happened,” said Sinas in a statement.
“Nevertheless, I apologize for what transpired during my birthday that caused anxiety to the public. It was never my intention to disobey any existing protocols relative to the implementation of [the] enhanced community quarantine,” he said.
In the same statement, Sinas said the guests in the celebration were all advised not to stay so late, as there would be gift-giving activities the following day to mark his birthday.
The gift-giving activity was listed among the NCRPO’s accomplishments in its official website.
A press release, dated May 8, stated that a total of 13,255 relief food packages were distributed in Metro Manila.
“With the great burden we are experiencing globally, I felt like it is also the best time to celebrate life. Sharing my day and my blessings in our community is my way to give thanks to the fruitful years that has been given to me,” added Sinas in the statement.