Philippine National Police chief General Debold Sinas talks to one of the Lumad students who were “rescued” after a police operation inside the University of San Carlos last Feb. 15. (NESTLE SEMILLA/INQUIRER VISAYAS)
MANILA, Philippines — Government officials should lead by example amid the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday in reaction to the recent COVID-19 protocol breach of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas.
Robredo made the remark after the mayor of Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro said Sinas failed to follow the screening protocols required for anyone traveling to the provinces.
Sinas was informed that he was positive for the disease while in Oriental Mindoro.
“Dapat nga tayo iyong example. Walang excuse kasi wala namang na-e-excuse sa virus, ‘di ba. Wala namang na-e-excuse sa virus so dapat talaga kung mayroong—kung ano iyong policy on the ground, sumunod tayo,” Robredo said in her weekly radio show.
According to Robredo, Sinas should have waited for the results of his COVID-19 test before going to the province, saying it is the health protocol.
“Responsibility natin na hindi tayo carrier. Again, maraming mga circumstances na hindi natin kontrolado pero iyong mga kontrolado natin iyon iyong gagawin natin,” Robredo said.
Sinas, who already threw a poorly-reasoned party at the start of the lockdown, did not pass through the Oriental Mindoro pier in Calapan where health clearances are issued and instead arrived by helicopter before proceeding to the PNP Regional Headquarters.
The PNP chief, who was always on the receiving end of criticisms ever since his “mañanita,” thus violated the very protocol that the national government put in place during the ongoing lockdown.