MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas may still face sanctions despite his apology over his birth anniversary gathering on May 8, photos of which showed violations of physical distancing and other health protocols enforced to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
NCRPO chief Debold Sinas (right) receives flowers from visitors during a mañanita (early morning serenade) for his 55th birthday on May 8. —PHOTO FROMPIO NCRPO FACEBOOK PAGE
“Siyempre sa sitwasyon ngayon tayo sa lockdown, maraming kinakaharap. ‘Yung mga bagay na yan (birthday celebration) ‘di na dapat ginagawa, dapat pinagpaliban na ‘yan,” Año stressed when interviewed on GMA 7’s Unang Hirit.
“Tinatanggap ko apology niya pero of course hindi yun magsasabi na hindi na siya pwede managot. Depende sa kung anong resulta ng investigation,” he added.
(I accept his apology but of course, that does not mean he will not be reprimanded. It depends on the results of the investigation.)
On Wednesday, Sinas issued his apology over his mañanita or birthday serenade but claimed some photos that were shared on social media were “edited” and “old photos.”
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa also ordered the Internal Affairs Service to probe Sinas’ mañanita whether social distancing was violated.
Photos from National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), which were already deleted, showed Sinas and several police officers celebrating his birthday last Friday, May 8 at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Taguig City.
There were photos of police officers lining up before a buffet spread, another photo of Sinas accepting flowers from guests and another photo showing NCRPO chief blowing candles from his birthday cake.