National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Debold Sinas will keep his post pending the results of the investigation on his controversial birthday celebration, the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed on Friday.
General Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP Chief, has not ordered a reshuffle of top police officials yet following rumors on social media that a new NCRPO Chief was already installed.
“Fake news ‘yan. Stay muna siya until further notice. No movement among top officials yet,” Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said.
Sinas was heavily criticized last week after photos of his “mananita” or early morning birthday serenade at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City made rounds on the Internet despite a national government directive prohibiting mass gatherings due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). He celebrated his 55th birthday last May 8.
In the now-deleted photos released by the NCRPO Public Information Office, it was observed that the police officials failed to observe physical distancing.
On Thursday night, Gamboa vowed that Sinas and other NCRPO officials will be held accountable for their individual culpability as he ordered the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to investigate the incident.
The results of the IAS investigation on the incident was expected to be out on Friday.
As of writing, the PNP has yet to divulge the results of the IAS probe.
“Per initial assessment, there is probable cause for the filing of criminal and administrative charges in relation to quarantine health protocols,” Gamboa said.
Gamboa said the administrative complaint will be transmitted to the Office of the President for approval by President Duterte.
Sinas has since apologized for the incident, but claimed that some of the photos circulating online were manipulated. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
