PNP chief calls his own statements linking ranking officer to crime payoffs ‘fake news’

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Confusion is surrounding statements made by Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas here which appeared to castigate a ranking regional police officer for involvement in illegal activities but which the officer said was nothing but a joke common for Sinas.

Col. John Guyguyon, deputy regional director for operations of the regional police, was discussed lengthily by Sinas in his speech for the turnover of police regional command at Camp Abendan here last Saturday (Dec. 19).

In his speech, Sinas delved on how he shed some 20 kilograms off his weight but warned other policemen to first consult a doctor before heeding his example.

“Before you venture into weight loss program, consult a doctor,” said Sinas. “Otherwise, you may die,” he said.

“But it’s okay for senior officers, especially generals, to die because many would be happy to replace them,” Sinas said in Filipino during his speech.

Then his speech turned to Guyguyon.

“Like Guyguyon, he better pray now, he is about to go and I would hear some people saying ‘it’s almost two years’ I advise them to use poison or maybe food so he would have a heart attack,” Sinas said in Filipino as his audience, all composed of policemen, laughed.

When he switched topic to policemen getting funds from criminal operations, like illegal drugs and smuggling, Sinas also used Guyguyon as an example.

“Smuggling is common in Zamboanga City,” said Sinas. “Give me the nmes of anyone involved,” he said.

“Just say Guyguyon is the protector. Has Guyguyon gone home to Ipil? He’ll go to Ipil, wants to transfer the CIDG 9 to Ipil,” said Sinas. Ipil is a town in Zamboanga Sibugay province while CIDG 9 refers to the regional office of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“I heard he is housing somebody there and he’s involved in mining,” Sinas said in his speech, still about Guyguyon.

Sinas also said he was contemplating about assigning Guyguyon to the West Philippine Sea, where maritime territorial disputes are raging with China.

When the Inquirer asked Sinas what he meant by his statements, Sinas simply replied “fake news.”

But confronted by Inquirer about Sinas’ statement, Guyguyon said the PNP chief was just joking.

“Those were jokes,” said Guyguyon. “Sir probably forgot that many were listening. He made amends last night,” Guyguyon added.

“I know the style of CPNP,” he said, referring to the initials of chief Philippine National Police. “Still here and will work. I’m just okay,” Guyguyon said.

“He’s my chief and I worked with him before so it’s okay. He already made amends last night, December 19,” Guyguyon said. “I know his style, it’s okay with me. It was just a joke,” he said in a text message.

Guyguyon added that he had already been accustomed to Sinas making fun of him. “I know him personally as I worked with him when he was director here,” he said. “His jokes were somewhat shocking at times but he would personally tell you it was a joke,” Guyguyon added.

He, however, admitted that it was true that he had moved the CIDG regional headquarters to Ipil in 2015.

But he did not reply to Sinas’ jokes about the other woman or about the mining operations.

TSB