Former PNP Chief and now Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday defended NCRPO Chief Police Major General Debold Sinas against bashers, saying critics should also appreciate Sinas’ efforts in keeping Metro Manila safe.
“P/MGen Debold Sinas has been bashed, criticized and pilloried both on social and mainstream media. He has since apologized and regretted his indiscretion,” Lacson said in a Twitter post.
“We may also want to consider his long law-enforcement service and his share to keep Metro Manila safe from the virus,” he added.
Lacson earlier said the Sinas did not set a good example to the public.
“More than the quarantine violation, from whatever direction we look at the incident, it projects a bad example, coming even from those tasked to enforce the ECQ,” he said.
Sinas already apologized for his supposed Mañanita, claiming some photos of the gathering that went viral were edited and were taken from old posts.
“Nevertheless, I apologize for what transpired during my birthday that caused anxiety to the public. It was never my intention to disobey any existing protocols relative to the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine,” Sinas said in a statement.
“Some of the pictures circulating in the social media were edited and grabbed from old posts. The pictures may depict itself however it does not define the totality of what really had happened,” he said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque meanwhile said PNP Chief Police General Archie Gamboa told him Sinas and others who attended the alleged birthday party would face criminal charges for violating quarantine protocols.
“Per my latest conversation with Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Archie Gamboa, a criminal case is now being readied to be filed tomorrow against NCRPO Chief Debold Sinas, along with other senior police officials who attended the gathering,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
“Major General Sinas is a third level officer and a presidential appointee; hence, a clearance from the OP is needed for the filing of administrative charges of the PNP. The same applies to the senior police officials who are also presidential appointees,” the Palace official said.
The Internal Affairs Service will take the lead in the investigation to “ensure impartiality” while the administrative cases will be transmitted to the Office of the President for approval.