Ex-PNP chief Debold Sinas appointed undersecretary in Office of the President

Controversial former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and retired Police General Debold Sinas has been given a post in the office of President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed on Saturday.

Medialdea confirmed to GMA News Online that Sinas was appointed as “Undersecretary, Office of the President.”

Sinas served as the 25th chief PNP for six months from November 2020 until his retirement on May 7, 2021.

The former top cop came under fire  amid allegations that he violated the ban on mass gatherings and the social distancing rules for holding a mañanita on his birthday in May 2020, when he was still Metro Manila’s police chief.

Duterte has defended Sinas, saying that he would not remove the official from his post despite the controversy. 

The former chief PNP was once again in hot water for allegedly violating health protocols after the Oriental Mindoro government claimed that Sinas skipped COVID-19 health protocols when he visited the province in March. 

Sinas tested positive for COVID-19 after his visit. 

In his defense, then PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said that Sinas observed health protocols and took swab tests but still contracted COVID-19. —KG, GMA News