Rappler journo says he was booted from NCRPO Viber group after reporting on Sinas ‘mañanita’

A reporter from Rappler on Wednesday said that he has been removed from the official Viber group of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

Journalist Rambo Talabong said he was dropped from the group after the news site reported on NCRPO chief Police Major General Debold Sinas' birthday party.

"NCRPO has removed me from its official Viber group after we reported their chief Debold Sinas violated quarantine rules by celebrating his birthday under lockdown," Talabong said in a tweet.

BREAKING: NCRPO has removed me from its official Viber group after we reported their chief Debold Sinas violated quarantine rules by celebrating his birthday under lockdown. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/3AbaKLNoNv

— Rambo Talabong (@ramboreports) May 13, 2020

GMA News Online has sought comment from the NCRPO.

This week, Sinas and other police officers celebrated his birthday despite the enhanced community quarantine.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government came to his defense, saying that the gathering was not a party but a mañanita, a tradition of the military and police in which commanders are greeted a happy birthday at the early break of the morning.

In a statement, Sinas apologized and said that the guests were "told to observe social distancing and other precautionary health measures," despite photos that appear to show otherwise. He has alleged that the photos have been "edited."

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa has ordered a probe into the birthday celebration, after initially saying he did not see any violation committed by Metro Manila's top cop.

The PNP said the decision was prompted by media reports which stated "that protocols on physical distancing and mass gathering of persons were allegedly overlooked during a recent gathering at the NCRPO." — BM, GMA News