Gamboa: Let us give Sinas a chance
MANILA, Philippines — Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said Monday he will give a few reminders to Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, acting director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), amid allegations on the latter’s “anti-media policies.”
“Let’s give him a chance but I will remind him kung ano man ang pwede kong i-remind sa kanya, pero (whatever I can remind him but) let’s not jump to conclusions,” Gamboa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, as he explained that senior PNP officials has their own “style” of leadership.
“Sasabihin ko sa kanya, ‘Debold, ang sinasabi nila anti-media ka daw’ (I will tell him, ‘Debold, they say you are anti-media’), and then probably from there, he can take off,” he said.
Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong earlier criticized Sinas for “forcing” members of the media covering the NCRPO beat to vacate the press office in Kamuning Police Station in Quezon City which they had been occupying for nearly three decades.
READ: NCRPO chief’s ‘anti-free press’ policy hit
Gamboa said he also called Sinas, who formally replaced former NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar – now the PNP chief of the directorial staff – on October 16, to ask about the matter.
Article continues after this advertisement“Sabi ko, ‘What is this, Debold?’ Sabi nya, ‘Sir, hindi ko naman sila (NCRPO Press Club) dinissolve. Sinabi ko lang na ‘yung opisina na gamit nila gagamitin namin for Undas and SEA Games.’ Sabi ko, ‘Okay’,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement(I told him, ‘What is this, Debold?’ He said, ‘Sir, I did not dissolve them. I just told them we will use the office for Undas and Sea Games.’ I said, ‘Okay.’)
Gamboa then noted that Sinas “did well” when he was the director of Central Visayas police and that perhaps the latter only needs a “little adjustment because this is the NCR.”
“But I do respect kung ano ang mga decision ni Gen. Sinas kasi (whatever the decisions of Gen. Sinas are because) he is responsible on what he is doing whether it will fail, whether it succeeds. It is his decision so I would respect that,” said Gamboa.
He then explained that Sinas, like other senior police officials, only holds their positions in probation for three months. An assessment of the performance of these officials will be conducted after that period.
Aside from removing the media office, Sinas also told reporters that he would not entertain ambush interviews, unlike other PNP officials.
But Sinas seems to be unfazed, saying he is ready to be relieved amid criticism on his policies regarding the media. He explained he did not shoo away members of the press office but that he is only taking what NCRPO owns.
He added that he will give the press corps an office at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City as replacement.
READ: Sinas ready to be relieved over ‘anti-media policies’
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