Sinas apologizes for birthday party but claims viral photos were ‘edited’

MANILA – Metro Manila’s chief police officer apologized on Wednesday for his birthday celebration, prompting a backlash for allegedly violating the ban on mass gathering and ruling out physical estrangement during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, the head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Major General Debold Sinas, said he did not intend to disobey any existing protocol related to the enhanced community quarantine, which was implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). )

“I apologize for what happened on my birthday that caused public anxiety,” he said.

He said some of the photos that had been circulating online were “edited and taken from old posts.”

“The images can represent themselves, however, they do not define the totality of what actually happened,” he said.

The photos were posted on the NCRPO Facebook page, showing police officers giving Sinas roses and cakes during the May 8 event. The photos also showed Sinas mingling at a table and guests lining up for buffet meals.

“May 8 is the day that God magnifies his love for me and my family because it is the day I was born. That day, I was blessed and honored that another year has been added to my life,” said Sinas.

Sinas said he was “very happy as a birthday celebrant” and was “caught” in the surprise “Mañanita” initiated by his officers.

He said he accommodated his guests “with all caution” as he was aware of government protocols against the spread of COVID-19.

“They were told to observe social distancing and other preventive health measures. They were also told not to delay and prepare for the simultaneous relief distribution throughout NCR that day,” added Sinas.

The head of the Philippine National Police (PNP), General Archie Gamboa, has already ordered an investigation into Sinas’ birthday celebration, which he previously defended.

Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Eduardo Año, who supervises the police, said that Sinas’s birthday was “a big no-no” under the closing rules.