PNP insists on keeping ‘mañanita’ general in his post

Despite the uproar against policemen who can’t follow laws that they enforce, the Philippine National Police insisted on keeping Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas in his post pending the investigation of the criminal charges filed against him and 18 other policemen.

PNP spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told the Inquirer in a text message on Friday that the PNP is awaiting the Taguig City prosecutor’s resolution of the complaint that the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) filed against Sinas and the others.

Sinas and the 18 other officers were charged of violating the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and Taguig City Ordinance No. 12 series 2020, which requires the wearing of face mask and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charges stem from the birthday celebration, called “mañanita,” men of the National Capital Region Police Office threw for Sinas on May 8 where about 50 cops were photographed without masks and celebrating in close proximity at their headquarters in Taguig.

After a public uproar against the policemen who were partying as the rest of the country was under lockdown, the IAS was ordered to investigate the incident and later filed the charges but the public then complained that the PNP was dragging its foot on the matter.

“[But the case] is with Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office. The PNP is awaiting the release of the resolution,” Banac said in a text message.

“[The] admin case is with IAS. They are also awaiting developments on case filed with prosecutor,” Banac said.