Gamboa says photos of Baguio party fake, warns of legal consequences

General Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), denied on Tuesday that the photos of a supposed party with him were taken in Baguio City where he allegedly held a retirement party for his classmates and friends.

“The photos were taken during a dinner in Manila last February this year,” said Gamboa.

The five photos were initially captioned as photos taken during the retirement party hosted by Gamboa at the Chief PNP Cottage at the Navy Base in Baguio City. The photos turned out later to be taken in a house located inside a posh subdivision in Metro Manila.

Last week, Gamboa was accused of holding a party which reportedly violates the implementation of strict quarantine rules especially in Baguio City. Aside from classmates at the Philippine Military Academy, also present during the party were allegedly the wives of police generals.

The holding of the party was allegedly done despite the rejection of the Baguio City government to hold a testimonial parade for Gamboa at the PMA where he graduated in 1986.

On Saturday, text messages purportedly coming from local residents went viral in the social media for alleged violation of quarantine protocols, adding that there was also a live band that performed during the party.

The alleged party was branded in the social media as ‘Mañanita 2.0’, in reference to the birthday party held by Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas in May in Taguig City at the height of the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila.

Compared to the alleged party of Gamboa, Sinas’ mañanita became controversial as it was backed by photos posted by the Public Information Office staff of the Metro Manila police chief.

Gamboa condemned what he described as malicious posting of photos and even warned of legal consequences for such action.

“The PNP warns the public and purveyors of fake news from sharing photos as there are other private individuals in the picture whose right to privacy may have been violated,” said Gamboa in a statement.

“We urge all persons who posted, shared and forwarded these images in the social media to immediately take these fake news down or face possible criminal charges under Republic Act 10175, or the AntiCybercrime Law,” he added.