San Juan City police chief must also explain 'disregard' of Baguio protocols -Gamboa

The chief of the San Juan City Police could be held administratively liable in connection with the recent incident in Baguio City involving San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and his security escorts who are accused of disregarding standard health and safety protocols, the head of the national police said Monday.

At a press briefing, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said although Police Colonel Jaime Santos was not part of Zamora's convoy, he still needs to explain to determine the "degree of his liability" considering that the policemen involved were his subordinates.

"I will not give my decision because I have to hear anong ginawa niya after that and then in the course of investigation, ano ang degree of liability niya," Gamboa said.

Gamboa said Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is also eyeing to file cases against PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Camilo Pancratius Cascolan as he is the commander of the administrative task force which supports cops deployed in this time of quarantine.

"Ang administrative support of COVID Shield is supposed to issue guidelines and protocols on how our men will behave doon sa baba," Gamboa said.

The PNP chief said he already apologized to Magalong, a retired police official, over the actions of the police officers.

Magalong earlier bared that the entourage of Zamora violated health security protocols when they disregarded a checkpoint in the city. He said Zamora's convoy violated the regulatory mechanism of quarantine check and triage examination at the Naguilian facility.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas said five San Juan City cops were already removed from their posts pending investigation on the incident.

Magalong said Zamora has already apologized to him. Zamora reportedly said he was asleep when the incident happened. --KBK, GMA News