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MANILA (TO UPDATE)– The Metro Manila Police Chief, who oversees the closure of 12 million people to prevent the spread of COVID-19, was indicted on Friday after allegedly violating pandemic protocols when he allowed and participated in a mass gathering.
The Philippine National Police said it has filed administrative charges such as Less Grave Neglice of Duty and Less Grave Malaconduction against the Chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Major General Debold Sinas and 18 other police officers.
The charge of less serious misconduct and less serious negligence of duty carries a maximum penalty of 60 days of suspension, according to the PNP.
The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service said charges were also filed for violating Republic Law No. 11332 or the “Communicable Diseases Reporting Law” and municipal ordinances against Sinas and 18 other police officers.
The PNP-IAS identified the 18 as a police brig. Gen. Nicolas Bathan, Police Brig. General Florendo Quibuyen, Police General. Gen. Florencio Ortilla, Police General. Gen. Gerry Galvan, police brig. General Ildebrandy Usana, Police Colonel Eliseo Tanding, Police Colonel Remus Medina, Police Colonel Raúl Tacaca, Police Colonel Emmanuel Peralta, Police Colonel Tomas Frias, Police Colonel Rodel Pastor, Colonel de Police Ferdinand Ortega, the police colonel. Manuel Abrugena, Police Lieutenant Colonel Orlando Carag, Police Major Epream Paguyod, Police Major Britz Sales, Police Cpl. Police Cpl. Abdumar Bakil and Police Cpl. Bernie Lazaga.
Sinampahan of kasong kr criminal if Sinas in 18 went dahil sa paglabag on RA 11332 and the city ordinance hinggil sa physical distance @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/XltyHJiMwd
– Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) May 15, 2020
Sinas previously denied having a birthday party on May 8, and instead had a “morning,” a police and military tradition in which supporters visit their commander before sunrise.
The photos shared by NCRPO on Facebook, some of which had been removed, showed officers giving roses and cakes to Sinas during the meeting. The official was also photographed mixing at a table while others lined up for buffet meals.
Sinas said his men wore masks and gloves during his visit and that he gave them packed lunches. However, he also claimed that other photos circulating online were false.
Malacañang previously said criminal charges will be brought against Sinas, who was criticized on social media for celebrating his birthday despite the ban on public gatherings during the closure of COVID-19.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, whose agency oversees the PNP, said the incident was “a big no-no” under the closure rules.
IS THERE NO RAPE?
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said Tuesday he did not believe there was a rape at the meeting because, according to Sinas, physical distancing was observed.
“‘Yong ginawa niyang kasi parang program in-cheer all kanyang staff, including even the PCP (police community compound), masterful help as part of their celebration,” he said.
(What he did was encourage his staff, even the PCP, to provide help as part of their celebration.)
– With reports by Raffy Santos, Zhander Cayabyab and Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News
Debold Sinas, NCRPO, police, mananita, tradition, birthday party, social estrangement, physical estrangement, confinement, COVID-19, coronavirus disease, quarantine
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