Police lockout birthday party tests Philippines quarantine rules

MANILA – Metro Manila Police Chief Debold Sinas’ birthday party will be a test case in implementing quarantine rules in the Philippines to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Friday.

“We are enforcing the rules, rich or poor, and I think Sinas is the test case for this because he is a high-ranking mid-range enforcer and we are taking steps to hold him accountable for non-compliance with quarantine rules.” Roque said on ANC Headstart.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) launched an early birthday serenade for its director, Major General Debold Sinas, on May 8. Photos released by the NCRPO Public Information Office on its Facebook page showed police officers handing roses and cakes to Sinas. Sinas was also seen mixing at a table while others lined up for buffet meals.

Since then, Sinas has apologized for the party that allegedly violated the ban on mass gathering and the rule of physical estrangement during the coronavirus pandemic. He previously insisted that the viral photos were tampered with.

“Head of PNP [Archie] Gamboa assured me that they will initiate a criminal complaint before the Prosecutor’s Office today for the violation of the quarantine ordinance, “said Roque.

According to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, violation of quarantine and social distancing rules carries penalties of up to 2 months in prison and / or a fine of P10,000 to P1 million.

“The Executive Secretary requested the IAS (Internal Affairs Service) to send to his office the result of his investigation into this incident. And the reason is that, as a person appointed by the President, there would have to be prior authorization for him to appear an administrative case against General Sinas, “he said.

Sinas’s fate will be decided in a separate administrative case, he said.

“The decision to relieve him or suspend or dismiss him is part of the administrative case,” he said.