New NCRPO chief Sinas: No tolerance for cops in drugs, bribery, gambling

Newly appointed National Capital Region police chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas at the turnover ceremony in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. /Consuelo Marquez, INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — As he assumes his post as acting Metro Manila police chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas has vowed to intensify the crackdown on police officers linked in illegal drugs, bribery and illegal gambling.

“I openly declare that there will be ‘no take’ in National Capital Region Police Office [NCRPO], starting from leadership down to rank and file, from illegal drugs, illegal gambling or any illicit criminal activities and those found to be involved with unscrupulous individuals will be prosecuted,” Sinas said in his speech during the turnover ceremony at NCRPO headquarters in Taguig City on Wednesday.

Sinas, the former Central Visayas police director, added that he will also be strict on police officers playing golf and those becoming gambling financiers.

“There will be no tolerance for police personnel playing golf, gambling or serving as financiers to gamblers and other online games,” Sinas said.

In an ambush interview with reporters, Sinas explained that he wants police officers to remove their focus on golf which is a time-consuming sport.

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of Philippine National Police (PNP), echoed Sinas’ policy that there will be “no take” on any unlawful activities.

“This will be the template [in PNP], no take on anything illegal be it illegal drugs illegal gambling or any kind of bribery, if you insist, we will put you to jail,” Gamboa told reporters after the NCRPO turnover ceremony.

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa (center) presides formal turnover of NCRPO leadership to former Central Visayas police chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas from former NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. /Consuelo Marquez, INQUIRER.net

Anti-narcotics campaign in focus

NCRPO’s policies to eradicate the proliferation of illegal drugs will remain a priority under his watch, Sinas said.

“The anti-illegal drugs operations will remain focus with the strengthening and revitalization of units involved in law enforcement and apprehension of high-value targets,” Sinas said.

Sinas said they will strengthen deployment of Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for each city in Metro Manila to ensure “more timely response and provide reliable forensic investigation of crime incidents.”

In his speech, outgoing NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar asked Metro Manila police officers  to give their “full trust and coordination” to Sinas.

Sinas formally assumed his post as acting NCRPO chief, replacing Eleazar, who is his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987.

Eleazar vacated his post as NCRPO chief after he was appointed as chief of the PNP Directorial Staff.  /muf