Sinas draws cheers and taunts from House Solons

MANILA, Philippines – Some legislators in the House of Representatives supported Monday, while others criticized the appointment of Police Major General Debold Sinas as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Muntinlupa representative Ruffy Biazon said that the exercise of the prerogative and authority of President Rodrigo Duterte to appoint the head of the PNP “is sufficient to justify the appointment” of the controversial police official.

“I had the opportunity to work with General Sinas in the Regional Advisory Council of the Police Office of the National Capital Region (NCRPO) and he showed commitment in the search for the Performance Governance System (PGS) in the NCRPO” Biazon said in a statement.

“He was proactive in ensuring that the NCRPO was not only compliant, but competent. He got [a] good relationship with stakeholders, as evidenced by the cooperation of the business community in the reform initiatives undertaken under the PGS ”, he added.

Nonetheless, Biazon hopes that Sinas will show that he has learned a lesson from the earlier theme of mañanitas that made headlines in May this year.

To recall, Sinas, when he was director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), drew criticism after his birthday gathering was attended by many police officers who challenged health protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic. .

Aka Bicol’s representative Alfredo Garbin, meanwhile, called on Sinas to restore public trust in the police, saying that the latter should disclose and update on its social media accounts the complete list and details of all administrative and criminal cases. pending and resolved against police officers. .

“There should also be a release of a full list of all police officers without permission. These PNP personnel who have betrayed the public trust and those laid off from service would likely turn to criminal activity on their own or as part of unions, ”Garbin said.

“It is correct that the media and the general public are continually aware of the threat that these without permission and the dismissed officers pose to security,” he added.

Diwa’s representative, Mike Aglipay, who is the son of a former PNP chief, said Sinas should be an example in law enforcement.

“As the top law enforcement officer in the country, we expect no less from him,” Aglipay said.

‘Greater impunity tomorrow style’

But the opposition Makabayan bloc lashed out at Sinas’ appointment, and one lawmaker said the public can expect “greater tomorrow-style impunity” under the new leadership.

Representative Gabriela Arlene Brosas described Sinas as the “mastermind of the illegal arrest and false charges” against human rights defenders Reina Mae Nasino and Cora Agovida after their deployment to the NCRPO from Central Visayas.

“Greater tomorrow-style impunity is expected with the appointment of Major General Debold Sinas as the new head of the PNP,” Brosas said.

Before wreaking havoc in the National Capital Region, Sinas had already established himself as the ‘Butcher of Central Visayas’ during his tenure as Chief of Police of Central Visayas, leading to the massacre of at least 87 civilians under the bloody Oplan Sauron, “he added. .

Brosas said that with the appointment, Sinas “will be better able not only to host illegal mass rallies, but to orchestrate mass arrests and killings of ordinary citizens ala-Oplan Sauron.”

“The appointment of Sinas as head of the PNP is not a surprise, as President Duterte has the ability to reward loyal and bloodthirsty police and military officers,” Brosas said.

“This is also part of the Duterte regime’s plan to intensify its red-labeling schemes and brutal war machine against the Filipino people with the help of one of its most loyal lackeys,” he added.

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said there is nothing to look forward to other than more human rights violations under Sinas’ leadership, saying the latter will only “continue to serve the tyrannical government of the Duterte administration rather than protect the Rights and Safety of Filipinos “. people.”

“It is not surprising that a lover of tomorrow, violator of the quarantine and architect of many massacres during his time as regional director of Central Visayas was appointed by President Duterte as Head of the PNP,” Castro said.

(Not surprisingly, President Duterte promoted a morning-loving quarantine rapist and perpetrator of many murders while still the regional director in Central Visayas as head of the PNP.)

“With this new appointment of the Head of the PNP, we can only expect more human rights violations against the Filipino people while the tyrannical rule of the Duterte administration persists,” he added.

The representatives of Bayan Muna, Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia Cullamat, also criticized the appointment of Sinas.

Gaite said that Duterte’s appointment has nothing to do with competence and integrity, but with notoriety and absolute loyalty.

“As it is, young police and Army officers would chill out with politicians so that they too can get juicy positions after a while,” Gaite said.

“This clear example of clientelist politics imposes on them that merit and competition have little or nothing to do with obtaining jobs. What matters is who you know and not what you know, “he added.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced the appointment of Sinas on Monday.

Sinas, a member of the 1987 Hinirang class of the Philippine Military Academy, succeeded General Camilo Cascolan, who is retiring Tuesday.

Sinas was regional director of the Regional Police Office 7 (Central Visayas) before being appointed the main policeman of Metro Manila. [ac]

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