PNP chief Gamboa on alleged Baguio party photos circulating online: 'Fake news'

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Gamboa on Tuesday reiterated that there was no party held in Baguio City amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Uso ang fake news," Gamboa told GMA News Online in a phone interview

His reaction came after photos of him and other individuals attending a gathering have circulated online, showing that social distancing was not observed and that they were not wearing any face masks.

Gamboa said that the photos were taken in February 2020, saying that it was a private engagement.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a retired PNP official, also earlier denied that Gamboa held a party in the city despite the quarantine protocols in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said there was no buffet and social distancing was observed during the dinner, which ended before the 10 p.m. curfew in the city.

He also said Gamboa was not given VIP treatment.

In a statement on Sunday, Gamboa denied Baguio residents' claims that police officials hosted a party in the city.

In a separate radio interview, PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said officials were in Baguio for an event, but it did not push through as scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.—AOL, GMA News