MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) will be investigating other police officials who attended the birthday fete of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Major Debold Sinas.
The birthday fete turned controversial after it allegedly ignored social distancing rules which are being enforceññ during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
PNP-IAS director Alfegar Triambulo said they will get the statements of the police officers who were seen in photos of the gathering. The photos were shared by the NCRPO on its Facebook page.
“Marami. Siyempre halos yung command group nila nandun, mga opisyal. Kaya ‘yun pa ‘yung tinitignan namin, ang kukunin namin ‘yung kung sino ang nandoon at i-arrange naming per rank at kung ilan,” Triambulo told reporters in a phone interview on Thursday when asked about the number of police officials in the birthday celebration.
(There are a lot. Of course, their command group was there, mostly officials. We will look into that also, we will see who attended and we will arrange them per rank.)
“Although ang nagrequest kami sa kanila na i-ano ‘yung mga listahan, yung lahat ng mga picture. Kung sino inimbita, sino nag-imbita para malaman natin kung sino nga ang ‘yung iimbestigahan natin,” he added.
(Although we requested from them a list of attendees, those who were seen in the pictures. Those who were invited and those who sent invites so that we may know who will be investigated.)
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac also said those who attended Sinas’ mañanita or birthday serenade must give their statements to investigators to determine if social distancing was violated in the event.
“Everybody who joined the mañanita will have to give their statements because they were seen in the pictures especially those who are not wearing face masks and could have violated social distancing they will have to give their side in fairness to everyone,” he said in another interview with ANC.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa previously ordered the IAS to probe Sinas’ mañanita and find out if social distancing rules were violated.