President Duterte has agreed the birthday gathering of Metro Manila’s police chief during the quarantine period was “wrong” but would let the investigation determine whether or not he will be suspended or dismissed from his post, Malacañang said Friday.
As National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas faces possible criminal and administrative complaints over the controversial incident, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President wanted to ensure the accountability of people violating quarantine rules regardless of power, influence or economic status.
Roque said the President is concerned that if certain people get away with any offense, the larger population might only defy the quarantine rules that may result in the further spread of the new coronavirus disease.
“Alam naman niya na mali ang pangyayari kaya nga po hinayaan naman niya na umusad ang proseso ng pananagutan,” Roque said over DZRH Friday morning when asked if the President was angry about the NCRPO incident.
“Ngayon araw inaasahan natin na sasampaan ng kaso si Sinas kriminal sa piskalya at hindi lang si General Sinas ang kasama diyan, mayroon 43 na ibang na kapulisin para sa violation ng ordinance sa quarantine,” he said.
Roque admitted that the swift police action on the criminal raps against Sinas and other police officials who attended the birthday event probably stemmed from the President’s concern about accountability.
“I suppose ‘yung concern ni Pangulo na kapag hahayaan natin na walang parusa baka wala ng maniwala sa quarantine, walang sumunod baka lalong maging lantad ang COVID,” he said.
Apart from the filing of a criminal complaint, Roque said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has already asked the internal affairs unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit its findings on the NCRPO incident to determine if administrative charges will be filed against Sinas.
He noted that a clearance from the Palace is needed before administrative raps are filed against Sinas since he is a presidential appointee.
“The decision to relieve him, to suspend or dismiss him is part of the administrative case,” Roque said when asked if the President will ask Sinas to step down from his post. (Genalyn Kabiling)