San Juan police chief to remain in post as PNP probes checkpoint violation in Baguio

June 8, 2020

The chief of San Juan City police will stay in his post for now while an investigation is ongoing after five of his men escorted Mayor Francis Zamora and violated checkpoints in Baguio City last week.

In a press briefing, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said they asked Colonel Jaime Santos to explain the administrative side of the incident as he is not included in the police convoy.

“I will not give my decision because I have to hear what he did after that and then in the course of the investigation what will be the degree of his liability,” Gamboa said.

“Now what will be the responsibility for causing his relief? If he does not take appropriate action… this is how administrative liability works in the Philippine National Police,” he said.

Gamboa said he apologized to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong over the incident.

Gamboa said he instructed the director for operations to disseminate to all PNP units to observe the appropriate protocols.

“Because we know that the burden of controlling the spread of the virus is on the shoulders of the LGU and of course their interest is to protect their constituents,” he said.

Gamboa told his men to follow local quarantine protocols.

“All members of the PNP should follow, not only encourage (but) follow local quarantine protocols,” he said.

For his part, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said he relieved the five San Juan cops involved in the incident.

“I also ordered them to be transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) of NCRPO in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City pending the investigation,” Police Major General Debold Sinas said.

“As of this moment, a comprehensive investigation is being undertaken by the Regional Internal Affairs Service-NCR in close coordination with RIAS ( Regional Internal Affairs Service) PROCOR ( Police Regional Office Cordillera) regarding the said incident,” he said.

The five police officers were also ordered to submit their respective written explanation on the issue.

“I will not condone any wrongdoing of our police officers in the implementation of the Community Quarantine Protocols, if held responsible,” Sinas said.

“We, as law enforcers, are bound to respect the existing rules and regulations anywhere in the Philippines. The safety of the people remains as our top priority in this trying times,” Sinas added.

According to Magalong, Zamora and his company entered the city last Friday around 3pm and failed to undergo city ordinance protocols  for COVID-19.

His convoy ignored the border control checkpoint at Kennon Road.

Magalong said the driver of the lead vehicle just slowed down a bit,  pointed out the vehicles tailing his police car, then sped off with Zamora's entourage as they went to the Baguio Country Club without undergoing the mandatory triage health examination.

Zamora apologized to Magalong over the incident saying they went to the city for his wife to rest and undergo medical treatment.

"I would like to extend my sincere apologies to Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the people of Baguio City for the incident that happened last June 5, 2020 on our way to Baguio City. We had no intention of breaking any checkpoint or quarantine protocols of the LGU," he said.

"I have personally called Mayor Magalong earlier today to convey my apologies and to explain that this was a miscommunication in the checkpoint area," he added.  Ella Dionisio/DMS