PNP-IAS files criminal raps vs Sinas, 18 others over birthday ‘mañanita’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on Friday filed criminal complaints against Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas and 18 other police officers for failure to follow quarantine protocols during the May 8 “mañanita” for his birthday.

“Nineteen (police officers) so far ang na-identify kaya sila muna ang kakasuhan today,” PNP-IAS director Alfegar Triambulo said in a text message when asked about updates on criminal charges to be filed against Sinas.

Included in the complaint are:

Major Gen. Debold Sinas —National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director
Brig. Gen. Nicolas Bathan — NCRPO Deputy Regional Director for Administration
Brig. Gen. Florendo Quibeyen — NCRPO Deputy Regional Director for Operations
Brig. Gen. Florencio Ortilla — NCRPO chief of Regional Staff
Brig. Gen. Gerry Galvan — NCRPO Regional Internal Affairs Service
Col. Eliseo Tanding — chief of NCRPO Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division
Col. Remus Medina — chief of NCRPO Regional Intelligence Division
Col. Raul Tacaca — Chief District Directorial Staff of Quezon City Police District
Col. Emmanuel Peralta — Southern Police District Director
Col. Tomas Frias — Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City
Col. Rodel Pastor — Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City
COl. Ferdinand Ortega — Valenzuela City police chief
Col. Manuel Abrugena — PNP Police Security and Protection Group/ Presidential Security Group Malacañang, Manila
Lt. Col. Orlando Carag Jr. — Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City
Major Epream Paguyod — Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City
Major Britz Sales — chief of NCRPO Public Information Office
Police Corporal Abdumar Bakil — Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City
Police Corporal Bernie Lazaga — Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City

Triambulo, also a lawyer, said the police officers will be facing criminal cases for violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and Taguig City Ordinance No. 12 series 2020, which impose mandatory wearing of face masks and require stringent physical distancing, because the birthday celebration was held at the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

He said PNP chief Archie Gamboa already approved the results of investigation into Sinas’ birthday celebration based on photos posted at the National Capital Region Police Office – Public Information Office’s Facebook page, such as policemen sitting at a roundtable, lining up at a buffet table, and Sinas blowing out candles out of a birthday cake during the gathering.

The photos were taken down after netizens, lawmakers and personalities started criticizing Sinas over the event.

EDV