Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, the embattled chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), will stay on duty despite a criminal case lodged against him for violating social distancing rules at a recent birthday gathering, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said today.
“Normally, when there’s controversy, [an official] will be asked to leave his post, but right now we need continuity in certain programs, and General Sinas has a wide understanding of these [programs], which is why we need him to serve,” PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said in English and Filipino, in an interview with ABS-CBN’s internet radio show Teleradyo.
“I hope the public would understand because we’re in an emergency situation, if we replace him, we will never know. He’s hard to replace because he’s in charge of so many programs related to COVID-19,” Gamboa said.
Sinas and 18 other members of the NCPRO are facing administrative cases for violating the Bayanihan [Camaraderie] as One Act of 2020. This was lodged by the PNP late last week after photos of Sinas and his buddies partying were widely shared online, with one image showing them sitting behind several cans of booze.
Read: Disgraced top cop Sinas to face criminal case over viral lockdown soiree
Gamboa said that Sinas is facing grave neglect of duty and a less grave misconduct charge which may be upgraded in the course of the trial. A less grave misconduct sanctions the offender with one month suspension on his first offense, and dismissal on the second offense, whereas a grave misconduct charge immediately results in the dismissal of the offender.
“It will depend on the evaluation of the Internal Affairs Service. There will be an investigation, and probably the investigation will focus on the evidence [which were] the photos that were released on social media. Based on the photos, they have found that there was indeed a violation, and a probable cause to charge [Sinas with grave neglect of duty and less grave misconduct]. But in the course of the trial, if they find a bigger responsibility [that was neglected] then the case will be upgraded,” Gamboa said.
The PNP chief added that Sinas and his buddies may face suspension for 60 days without pay.
Reader Interactions