NCRPO acting director Sinas: I’m not anti-media

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting director Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas on Monday denied that he was "anti-media" after a lawmaker criticized him for his policies against the press.

"Hindi ako anti-media. I've been assigned for one year and four months... akin lang is orderliness. 'Pag hindi ko alam ang sagot, ayaw ko manggulat kasi ang tao ko nakikinig, ang tao ko maging kawawa pa..." Sinas said during a press conference in Quezon City.

"Pabayaan ko magalit kayo sa akin..." he added.

It was Ang Probinsyano party-list Representative Ronnie Ong who had criticized Sinas for his supposed "disrespect" to members of the press.

"Isang napakalaking pagkakamali ang ginawang pagtalaga kay Brigadier General Debold Sinas bilang officer-in-charge ng PNP-National Capital Region Police Office dahil kahit bagong upo pa lang ay nagpapakita na ito ng kawalan ng paggalang sa malayang pamamahayag," Ong said in a statement.

"General Sinas is an embarrassment to the police leadership and should be removed right away. Instead of immediately castigating the policemen involved in this caper, he is even trying to downplay their misdeeds," he added.

The issue arose after Sinas directed some members of the NCRPO media to vacate the press office as he will utilize it as an extension office. Ong also said Sinas had prohibited ambush interviews from reporters.

Sinas then clarified that nothing is final yet on the issue about the said press office.

"If ganoon ang dating, masama sa kanila pasensya na po kasi I’m open at hindi ko po sila binuwag... Pinagusapan lang 'yun pero it’s that your opinion it’s your report so be it, ano ang gagawin ko magmukmok sa tabi?" Sinas said.

"Pagka sinabi ng OIC (officer-in-charge) na because of that tanggalin ako, sabihin ko sa inyo isang oras turnover agad wala pong problema po," he added.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa said Sinas should be given a chance to prove his capability to the public.

"Alam niyo kanya-kanyang style ang mga iba't-ibang leader ng PNP. Let's give him a chance," Gamboa said in a separate press briefing.

"But I will remind him kung ano man ang puwede kong i-remind sa kanya. Pero let's not jump to conclusions. Remember si General Sinas did well in Cebu," Gamboa added. — RSJ, GMA News