Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas warned Tuesday that partygoers would be arrested during this Christmas season.
“Yes, bawal… Bawal ang party…” Sinas said when asked if partygoers would be immediately arrested if caught.
“We issued the directive based on the IATF that no parties should be there but di naman pinagbabawalan ‘yung dinner. Ang dinner is party din eh, but you have to observe ‘yung required naman,” he added.
Last month, Sinas banned Christmas parties within the PNP as it celebrates holidays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The policy of the government is wala, mayroon na po kaming inilabas na direktiba na walang Christmas party. In fact sabi ko nga, ‘yung Misa De Gallo dapat controlled din,” Sinas said.
“Kung gusto ng mga simbahan natin na nandoon sa Crame na mag-Misa De Gallo, control din at gamitan ng zoom. Kapag ang authorized 30%, ‘yun lang dapat,” he added.
Likewise, the PNP chief reminded the public that caroling this Christmas season is not allowed.
Sinas is facing criminal and administrative complaints about his alleged quarantine violations at the height of a strict community quarantine.
Sinas warns partygoers will be arrested
The PNP chief already apologized for his supposed Mañanita birthday party, claiming some photos of the gathering that went viral were edited and were taken from old posts.
President Rodrigo Duterte has since defended Sinas over the incident and urged the public to let the new PNP chief off the hook.
Sinas, meanwhile, ordered the police officers not to arrest individuals if their violation is the improper wearing of face masks and shields. He also directed the cops to provide face masks and shields to those who don’t have any.
“Nagbigay po ko ng instructions na ‘di na po arestuhin, kausapin na lang… kung walang mask, bigyan ng mask, kung walang shield, bigyan ng shield para po maimpose natin,” he said.
“We have given instruction na i-remind na lang at pagsabihan… karamihan naman po ay sumusunod,” he added.
Earlier, the government ordered the public to wear face masks and face shields whenever they go out of their houses to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday season.