Mañanita probe on Sinas to continue -- PNP
Published May 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Aaron Recuenco
He may have gotten away with the controversial mañanita as far as his position is concerned but a police official said Wednesday that Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas will still be facing charges for possible criminal and administrative liabilities.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas
(PIO NCRPO / MANILA BULLETIN) Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the investigation on the administrative liability of Sinas and 18 other policemen who were accused of disregarding the rules on mass gathering and physical distancing is part of the process in the organization. “The administrative liability is separate from a decision for him to stay (in his position as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). While he stays in his position, the investigation and the administrative proceedings will continue,” said Banac. Sinas was already charged before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office using the photos uploaded in the NCRPO website, which the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) said speak of the violations committed. But despite the controversy created by the mañanita and the allegation of double standard in the implementation of the quarantine rules, President Duterte defended Sinas and said he would stay on as Metro Manila police chief. Aside from Sinas, netizens tagged Senator Koko Pimentel and Mocha Uson as the symbols of double standard in the implementation of strict quarantine rules. The two are known close allies of President Duterte. More than 51,000 people were arrested while at least 17,000 were fined for violating the home quarantine rules from March 17 to May 18 based on the PNP data. “We accept the statement of the President and Major General Sinas will stay. But despite the President’s statement, the investigation will continue,” said Banac. Right now, Banac said, they are focusing on the implementation of the protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas(PIO NCRPO / MANILA BULLETIN) Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the investigation on the administrative liability of Sinas and 18 other policemen who were accused of disregarding the rules on mass gathering and physical distancing is part of the process in the organization. “The administrative liability is separate from a decision for him to stay (in his position as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). While he stays in his position, the investigation and the administrative proceedings will continue,” said Banac. Sinas was already charged before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office using the photos uploaded in the NCRPO website, which the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) said speak of the violations committed. But despite the controversy created by the mañanita and the allegation of double standard in the implementation of the quarantine rules, President Duterte defended Sinas and said he would stay on as Metro Manila police chief. Aside from Sinas, netizens tagged Senator Koko Pimentel and Mocha Uson as the symbols of double standard in the implementation of strict quarantine rules. The two are known close allies of President Duterte. More than 51,000 people were arrested while at least 17,000 were fined for violating the home quarantine rules from March 17 to May 18 based on the PNP data. “We accept the statement of the President and Major General Sinas will stay. But despite the President’s statement, the investigation will continue,” said Banac. Right now, Banac said, they are focusing on the implementation of the protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.