Sinas mum on controversial mañanita, cites PNP chief's order

Police Major General Debold Sinas is no longer keen on talking about his mañanita that took place May 8 and put him in the center of controversy.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit on Friday, Sinas refused to elaborate on the explanation he submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation regarding his birthday celebration, saying he was ordered by Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa not to comment on the issue.

"I'm sorry, I could not anymore [discuss] it kasi [inutusan] na po ako ni chief PNP to refrain from commenting anymore kasi... the investigation is ongoing," Sinas said.

Sinas, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), also refused to comment on the resolution of the Makabayan bloc -- a group of progressive lawmakers at the House of Representatives -- calling for his immediate dismissal from police service.

"No comment rin po ako. Nasa kanila po 'yun, sir. May personal feeling is irrelevant kasi public servant po tayo. Kung ano po ang iutos na nakalaan sa batas at polisiya, 'yun po ang susundin natin," he said.

Lawmakers from the Makabayan Bloc slammed President Rodrigo Duterte for defending Sinas over his highly-criticized birthday celebration.

Duterte has defended Sinas amid the issue, describing him as a "good and honest cop."

Sinas drew flak over his birthday celebration amid the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos from the event, initially uploaded by the NCRPO's Public Information Office, showed that the police officers present were hardly observing protocols on social distancing.

Mass gatherings like birthday parties are also prohibited under ECQ.

Sinas has apologized over the incident, but insisted that some of the photos that circulated online were edited and grabbed from old posts.

Criminal and administrative complaints have been filed against him. --KBK, GMA News