Sinas says no need for him to go on leave as NCRPO chief

May 14, 2020

The chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday said there is no need for him to go on leave as his birthday celebration last May 8 is being investigated.

In an interview over CNN Philippines, Sinas said both Philippine National Police- Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will conduct  a probe over the incident.

 “Unless otherwise it is being instructed by the chief PNP (Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa) or the President (Rodrigo Duterte), I don’t think so. There’s no need, I will just wait for the result of the investigation,” he said.

Sinas said his men did not violate the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) guidelines when they conducted mañanita, a tradition among graduates of the Philippine Military Academy.

He said social distancing was observed and police personnel in the place are wearing masks, some are even wearing gloves. 

And unlike a local official who was arrested in Tondo for having a birthday party outside his office, Sinas said there is no “double standard” as the celebration was conducted inside his quarters at Camp Bagong Diwa. 

“It’s not double standard. First, it was here on my quarters inside the camp and we are not on the streets… it’s very ungentlemanly to not entertain them when the senior officers and well-wishers are already on standby there… and I told them to go after eating the food they brought as we still have things to do,” he said. 

“I don't think that there is a double-standard. Nonetheless whatever the result of the investigation is fine with me,” he added.

 Sinas already apologized for the incident.

The NCRPO chief said his personnel are ready to defend themselves and he will stand with them.

“I will have the investigators assessed what really happened and my people are ready to defend themselves… they said if there is an investigation, ‘we will give our statements’ and they are really the ones who organized,” he said. 

“They are my personnel, whatever happens I stand with them,” he said.

Sinas said the IAS  ordered him to stop giving statements.

“They asked for the names of the attendees and if they can talk to them… I will also make an affidavit of what really happened. We are giving this to them and IAS already told me to stop giving statements,” he said. 

He said NBI might communicate with him and his officers Thursday.

On the uploaded photos of the celebration, Sinas said the personnel who uploaded it on the NCRPO’s official page  explained to him he is just overwhelmed to witness the event. 

“I don’t want to reprimand him because he said he is just happy during that time and it is his job to post the activities…. He said there is no malice on it and he has no bad intentions since he saw that social distancing was observed,” he said.

But on the old photo that circulated on social media, Sinas said the person who uploaded it talked to them and admitted that it’s from a previous event last year. 

“I hope the one who posted it will give clarification that the picture was not on the day of my birthday,” he said.

Sinas earned the ire of the public after photos of his birthday celebration was shared online.

In areas under ECQ, including NCR, mass or social gatherings are not allowed. Ella Dionisio/DMS