Gamboa says Sinas to stay as NCRPO chief

Police Major General Debold Sinas, who is facing a criminal complaint over his controversial mañanita, will stay in his post as chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said Monday.

In a radio interview, Gamboa asked the public for understanding as it is difficult to replace Sinas in this time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, noting that the cop was leading in the strict implementation of quarantine in Metro Manila.

"Yes, I hope the public would understand kasi nandito tayo sa ganito nga, may emergency situation. Kapag palitan mo siya we will never know, napakahirap palitan dahil ang dami niyang programa in relation sa COVID. Siya yung nag-establish noong mga naunang quarantine," Gamboa said. 

Gamboa further said the NCRPO has not stopped in its campaign against illegal drugs and illegal gambling, noting that when Sinas took the post as NCRPO chief, illegal gambling operations have stopped in the region.

"Noong umupo siya sa NCRPO, huminto talaga 'yung illegal gambling sa NCR at good enough nag-toe the line naman 'yung mga district directors at chiefs of police. I hope ma-validate ito ng publiko na indeed walang nangyaring suhulan pagdating sa illegal gambling dito sa NCR," Gamboa said.

The Philippine National Police's Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on Friday filed a criminal complaint against Sinas and 18 other police officers and men over his recent birthday celebration.

Sinas and the other respondents are accused of violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the law on the mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases and health events of public concern as well as  of violating Taguig City's ordinance requiring the wearing of face masks and physical distancing.

The complaint was filed before the Taguig Prosecutor's Office. It is a prosecutor's duty to determine whether or not to file charges in court.

Drawing public criticism, Sinas and the other officers celebrated the official's birthday through a mañanita last May 8 despite a strict prohibition on mass gatherings during the enhanced community quarantine, a rule that is implemented primarily by law enforcement. 

Aside from the criminal charges, the PNP-IAS also noted that Sinas' mañanita last May 8 had constituted the administrative offenses of less grave neglect of duty as well as less grave misconduct.

Gamboa said these could actually be "upgraded" depending on the course of the trial.

"Kung meron man nakitang mabigat na responsibilidad or mabigat na kaso then we can always upgrade it. What is important is kapag in-upgrade mo 'yung kaso dapat alam noong respondent na ito 'yung kinakaso sa kaniya para kasama doon sa due process," Gamboa said.

Gamboa said the administrative complaints against Sinas were already transmitted to Malacañang.

Sinas has since apologized over his mañanita but claimed social distancing was observed during the event. He also insisted that some of the pictures that circulated online were grabbed from old posts. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ/KBK, GMA News