NCRPO chief Sinas to remain on duty: PNP

May 14, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Debold Sinas will remain on duty  and assured the public a fair investigation will be conducted by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) on alleged violation he committed when his personnel celebrated his birthday last week.

In an interview over ANC, PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said Sinas '' remains on duty and we have no pronouncement yet on his status.''

“The investigation is now ongoing and it is being conducted by an independent body, the IAS, as directed by the PNP chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa to conduct an impartial investigation,” Banac said.

He said removing Sinas from his post will depend on the top management of the PNP based on the result of IAS investigation.

“Well that can be an option by the top management of the PNP but for now we will not preempt the result of the investigation of the IAS and we will wait for the result. So we are just on standby and we expect the IAS would complete their investigation as soon as possible,” Banac said.

Banac said all police personnel who participated or joined the mañanita will have to give their statements, especially those who were not wearing face masks and  violated social distancing.

“They will have to give their side in fairness to everyone,” he said.

“The assurance of the PNP is the investigation would be impartial that's why PNP chief Gamboa has tapped the IAS for an impartial investigation and he assured the public that there would be no cover-up (on) this matter,” he said.

Banac said IAS as an independent body is expected to perform their mandate to investigate the incident fairly.

Banac admitted the incident will have an effect on the public’s perception but he said they will not be affected and will continue to implement strict enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) guidelines.

NCRPO personnel man quarantine control points (QCP) in the borders of Metro Manila.

“We will continue to perform our mandate following our core philosophy or service, honor and justice and that is the reason why PNP chief General Gamboa showed the sensitivity of the PNP to public opinion and he ordered for the immediate investigation of the incident,” he said.

Banac said they reminded their personnel that any form of social gathering is prohibited as PNP is not exempted on the ECQ guidelines.  Ella Dionisio/DMS