Sinas won't be relieved from post pending probe on mañanita -IAS chief

Metro Manila's top cop, Police Major General Debold Sinas, will not be relieved from his post despite the investigation on his controversial mañanita, according to Internal Affairs Service Inspector General Attorney Alfegar Triambulo on Thursday.

Triambulo said Sinas has been performing well as head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). He likewise praised NCRPO personnel for their efforts to help the government stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"Hindi natin gagawin ‘yun kasi maganda naman ‘yung performance nila, kaya sinasabi ko very delicate matters ito kaya nandoon ako, kasi kung magkamali tayo dito ay baka ang talo dito ‘yung taumbayan," Triambulo said.

"Ito 'yung mga tao na nagpatupad noong pressure ng gobyerno para labanan ‘yung COVID at maganda naman. Hindi naman natin makaila na maganda performance nila," he added.

Investigation

Triambulo said civilian lawyers would investigate the matter to ensure fairness. He said the team would look into the individual liability of those police officers who attended Sinas' celebration as well as the matters that need to be corrected, especially since the country is experiencing a health crisis.

"Mayroon bang dapat i-correct para hindi maulit kasi nasa krisis tayo para maiwasan sa ibang mga lugar sa mga kampo na magkakaroon ng ganitong insidente," Triambulo said.

"'Yung pangalawa, 'yung individual liability kasi maraming involved dito. 'Yung degree ng kanilang responsibility, hindi pareho. Kapag may insidente, may violation na maraming participants, iba-iba ang liability niyan. Hindi pare-pareho," he added.

Triambulo said the lawyers are still collecting information regarding the number of police officers, including high-ranking police officials, who attended the mañanita.

Viral photos

They would also check if the photos, circulating online, were really edited as claimed by Sinas.

Triambulo is eyeing to submit their findings next week.

Triambulo warned that Sinas and other police officials could face criminal and administrative charges if proven that they violated quarantine protocols by holding the gathering.

On May 8, Sinas and other police officers celebrated his birthday despite the enhanced community quarantine.

According to Interior Secretary Eduardo  Año, the gathering was not a party but a mañanita, a tradition of the military and police in which commanders are greeted with a happy birthday at the break of dawn.

Sinas has apologized for the incident and maintained that guests were "told to observe social distancing and other precautionary health measures," despite photos that circulated online showing otherwise.

Sinas claimed the photos were edited. --KBK, GMA News