Sinas to cops: Respect human rights in enforcing enhanced quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas on Friday reminded his policemen to respect the human rights of residents while enforcing the enhanced community quarantine.

Sinas made the statement after Sta. Ana police station commander Lt. Col. Reynaldo Magdaluyo was caught on video hitting and cursing residents of the Golden Mosque Compound in Quiapo City in Manila while enforcing the enhanced community quarantine.

“My instruction to my men that despite the strict implementation of policies, due respect for the rights of our citizens must always be observed,” Sinas said during a press briefing at the Kamuning Police Station on Friday.

Sinas said the video was “lacking scenes that could not justify what really happened.”

With this, he ordered newly-appointed Manila Police District chief Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda to conduct an in-depth investigation into the incident.

“An in-depth probe has been directed to the district director of MPD guaranteeing that National Capital Region Police Office won’t condone wrongdoings of our police officers in the implementation of enhanced community quarantine,” the director of the Metro Manila police said.

Sinas also reminded residents to remain vigilant and follow quarantine protocols as the government continues to implement measures contain the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic.

/MUF