NCRPO chief Debold Sinas on Wednesday issued an apology for his birthday celebration that allegedly violated the protocols on mass gathering and social distancing amid the enhanced community quarantine.
“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.
He, however, claimed that some of the photos in the birthday fete was taken from old celebrations and were edited.
“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.
“Overjoyed as a birthday celebrant, I was caught with a traditional Mañanita spontaneously conducted by some of my officers and men in their own volition. In all actuality, my accommodation to them was done with all cautiousness because I am fully aware of the Anti Covid measures being implemented by the government. They were told to observe social distancing and other precautionary health measures. They were also told not to linger and prepare for simultaneous relief distribution NCR-wide that day,” he explained on what happened during the alleged party.
“Rest assured that the NCRPO remains its adherence to the words and guidance of our President, the Chief, PNP,” Sinas said.
NCRPO Public Information Office on May 8, 2020, posted photos of police officers serenading Sinas and giving him roses and cakes.
The pictures also showed police officers getting food from the buffet table only a few inches away from each other. They also sat around the dining table close to each other as one would do in a usual birthday party.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said it the party was a “big no-no” adding government officials should set an example and show “delicadeza” (propriety).
Senator Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, said those who joined the alleged birthday party should be arrested and jailed with other ECQ violators.
PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Wednesday ordered the Internal Affairs Service to conduct a probe into the birthday celebration of Sinas.