Resolution ‘expressing sense of House’ for ‘immediate dismissal’ of Sinas filed

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc on Wednesday filed a resolution “expressing the sense of the House” for the immediate dismissal of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas over quarantine violations.

The lawmakers filed the resolution following the “mañanita” to celebrate Sinas’ 55th birthday, which recently drew flak over social distancing and quarantine violations.

“Maj. Gen. Sinas has a huge responsibility to diligently observe community quarantine protocols, as he exercises police jurisdiction over the National Capital Region which currently has the highest concentration of COVID-19 cases in the country,” the lawmakers said in the resolution.

Photos posted from the NCRPO’s official Facebook page, which were taken down amid widespread criticisms, showed Sinas and around 50 police officials and officers gathered to celebrate the Metro Manila police chief’s birthday last May 8 at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig City.

While the policemen were wearing face masks, the photos clearly showed social distancing violations as policemen lined up at what appeared like a food buffet set-up and dined, as the birthday event itself was also said to be a clear violation of an enhanced community quarantine rule banning all forms of mass gathering, among others.

Sinas has since apologized, but argued that some photos of the occasion were “edited” and “old photos”.

The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) has also filed criminal complaints against Sinas and 18 other police generals for their failure to follow quarantine protocols.

Despite the charges, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not order Sinas relieved as he called the top Metro Manila cop an “honest” and “good officer.”

“The kid-gloves treatment accorded to Maj. Gen. Sinas stands in stark contrast with the harsh punitive actions by the police against ordinary citizens who supposedly committed violations of community quarantine guidelines,” the lawmakers said.

Human rights violations

In the resolution, the lawmakers also noted Sinas’ track record, which they said is “marred with various human rights violations and grave abuse of authority.”

“Cases of extrajudicial killings and mass arrests in Central Visayas notably rose during the leadership of Sinas as police director of Central Visayas’ regional office (PRO-7) in Cebu City,” the lawmakers claimed.

“Sinas served as the chief implementor of Oplan Sauron in Negros, under Memorandum Order No. 32 which placed the province of Samar, Negros, and Bicol under the hands of the military, that led to the murder of at least 20 peasants,” they added.

The lawmakers said Sinas “lost the credibility to administer quarantine protocols and the integrity to ensure peace and order.”

“NCRPO Chief Major General Debold Sinas is clearly responsible for the deaths and arrest of innocent people and has transgressed the law he was supposed to abide and enforce,” the lawmakers said.

The Makabayan bloc in the lower chamber consists of Bayan Muna Partylist Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, and Ferdinand Gaite; ACT-Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro; Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas; and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago.

KGA