Sinas says PNP investigating reported violations of health protocols by Roque, Pacquiao

December 3, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said the Central Visayas and Calabarzon police are investigating alleged violation  of health protocols to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Senator Manny Pacquiao.

“The (police) regional directors and the regional director of DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) already conducted an investigation,” General Debold Sinas said in a TV interview.

Sinas said they are waiting for their recommendations so that he can  submit it to Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano.

“I gave them a deadline until Monday next week to forward the recommendation to me so that I can forward it to SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government) so that he will know the result of the inquiry and investigation of our PNP commanders,” he said.

Sinas clarified that they will only send their findings and recommendations to Ano but it will be up to the secretary to decide.

“We will just get the facts, statements, photos and the side of the organizers and the allegations then present it to the higher (office) for assessment and if there are specific violations,” he said.

Photos of Roque and Pacquiao went viral on social media after social distancing failed to be implemented in the events they attended last week.

According to Roque, he followed the minimum health standard when he attended the opening of Bantayan Island Airport in Cebu.

Pacquiao’s camp also said minimum health standards were observed in their gift-giving event in Batangas.

Both officials said they welcome the investigation being conducted. Ella Dionisio/DMS