PNP CHIEF Archie Gamboa on Monday said Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas will remain at the helm of the National Capital Region Police Office despite the filing of charges against him in connection with the party held to celebrate his 55th birthday last week.
“I hope the public would understand because we have an emergency situation,” Gamboa said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic the police force is trying to prevent from further spreading.
Last week, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who described as “uncalled for” Sinas’ birthday celebration, said he does not see a need to relieve Sinas from his post, citing Sinas’ role in the fight against the deadly virus. However, Año added he was leaving to Gamboa the decision whether to relieve Sinas or not.
Sinas continued to draw flak from many quarters for the party last May 8 during which quarantine protocols were violated, like non-holding of mass gathering, observance of social distancing and wearing of face mask, that Sinas and NCRPO are supposed to be implement.
Last Friday, the PNP-Internal Affairs Service filed charges against Sinas and 18 other police officers, including five brigadier generals, before the Taguig City prosecutor’s office for violation of the enhanced community quarantine guidelines.
“Kapag palitan mo siya, we will never know, napakahirap palitan dahil ang dami niyang programa in relation sa COVID (If you replace him, we will never know, it’s hard to replace him because he has a lot of programs in relation to COVID),” said Gamboa.
Gamboa also credited Sinas in what he said was the successful campaign against illegal drugs and illegal gambling in Metro Manila.
“Alam naman natin nung umupo siya sa NCRPO huminto talaga ‘yung illegal gambling sa NCR at good enough nag-toe the line naman ‘yung mga district directors at chiefs of police (We all know that when he took over as NCRPO chief, illegal gambling really stopped in NCR and good enough the district directors and chiefs of police toed the line),” he said.
“I hope ma-validate ito ng publiko na indeed walang nangyaring suhulan pagdating sa illegal gambling dito sa NCR (I hope this will be validated by the public that indeed there was no bribery when it comes to illegal gambling here in NCR),” added Gamboa.
As to the administrative charges against Sinas and his subordinates, Gamboa said this has been transmitted to Malacañang for the approval of President Duterte.
Asked when the criminal case against Sinas and his subordinates would be filed in court, Gamboa said the PNP has no control over prosecutors who are reviewing the complaint.
Gamboa assured the police force that would start hearing the administrative case against the officers “if Malacañang clears the filing of the appropriate case” against them.
