Acting director of NCRPO Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — The National Press Club (NPC) condemned Metro Manila police acting director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas for allegedly disrespecting an unnamed female reporter during an ocular inspection of the police for the traslacion 2020 in Manila.
In a statement, Paul Gutierrez, chairman of NPC Press Freedom Committee and Vice President, said the reporter was asking Sinas about the inspection but the Metro Manila police acting chief turned her down and asked to do the interview later.
Sinas then covered the reporter’s face with his hand while the latter was still talking, Gutierrez said.
“Nagsasalita pa umano ang mamahayag nang takpan ni Sinas ang kanyang mukha ng kamay nito bago tinalikuran,” Gutierrez said.
(The journalist was still talking when Sinas covered her face before he turned his back and left the area.)
When the reporter tried to reach out to Sinas, the acting Metro Manila police chief told the journalist: “Hindi ba sinabi ko sa iyo, mamaya ka na at mag-isa ka palang [Didn’t I tell you to have the interview later because you are the only one here.]”
With this, Gutierrez said the reporter was embarrassed and vacated the area.
‘Reporter interrupted’
In another statement, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said they were saddened over the allegation against Sinas. However, they said it was the reporter who interrupted the conversation between Sinas and some officials.
“We are saddened by the information that [one reporter] allegedly felt stifled by PBGEN SINAS earlier this morning during the initial walkthrough,” read the statement.
“In reality, the media personality interrupted the ongoing conversation between PBGEN SINAS, Monsignior Hernando Coronel, the Head of Quiapo Church, Mr. Alex Limbaga and Nazareno hijos with regard to the upcoming traslacion,” it added.
The NCRPO said the reporter “butted-in without permission in the middle of the conversation.”
The NCRPO noted that Sinas turned down the reporter’s request, saying: “Sandali lang miss, nag-uusap pa kami [Wait, we are still talking.]”
The female reporter was persistent and reportedly interrupted Sinas again, the NCRPO statement said.
The NCRPO said Sinas “never intended to stifle said reporter or any person for that matter.”
Sinas respects the press and “acknowledges their indispensable part in public service,” NCRPO said.
Edited by JPV