MANILA, Philippines — Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of Joint Task Force COVID-Shield, urged the public, especially netizens, to stop insulting the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies over the controversial birthday celebration of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Major Gen. Debold Sinas.
“I appeal to the public, particularly to our netizens, to spare the entire police organization and other agencies involved in the enforcement of the ECQ guidelines from insults and other unfair generalization. Our hardworking people on the ground do not deserve them,” Eleazar said in a statement on Thursday.
Eleazar, who is also the PNP’s operations chief, said it is “unfair” to conclude that there is a double standard in the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols.
“I am saddened that the incident that happened at Camp Bagong Diwa has already turned into misinterpretation and accusations that there is a double standard in the implementation of the ECQ guidelines– which is absolutely unfair to our men and women on the ground who brave the scorching heat of the sun, who risk themselves to infection every day and who make a sacrifice to be away from their family just to make sure that every Filipino is protected from COVID-19,” he said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite previously said double standards were applied in enforcing lockdown rules when ordinary people were instantly arrested while those in power can arrange parties.
Meanwhile, Eleazar also reminded public servants to observe diligence and sensitivity in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic after Sinas’ celebration which reportedly did not follow social distancing protocols.
“We hope that this controversy serves as a reminder to all the public servants to exercise due diligence and sensitivity in every action they do and in every decision they make that are related to our fight against COVID-19,” Eleazar said.
To recall, the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service was tasked to look into the alleged ECQ violations during the May 8 mañanita or birthday serenade for Sinas at the National Capital Region Police Office Headquarters in Taguig City.
Photos of the event that were posted on the NCRPO’s Facebook page, Sinas was shown accepting flowers from police officers and later blowing candles on a birthday cake.
Over 20 photos of the mañanita were deleted by the NCRPO from its Facebook page after the event drew criticisms from lawmakers, personalities, and netizens.