Sinas: I have authority to lead NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines — Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas believes he still has the authority as commander of Metro Manila’s police force despite the controversy triggered by his birthday celebration amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the region.

Sinas – who heads the 27,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) – and 18 other police officials are facing charges for the mass gathering during his birthday fete last May 8 while Metro Manila was under a lockdown to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

“I still have the authority to serve. As long as si Chief PNP, the President believes in my ability to lead the NCRPO and my people believe that I could lead them properly,” he said in an interview aired over GMA News yesterday.

Sinas said he has recovered from low morale from the criticisms he received over his birthday celebration while citizens in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon were forced to remain at home.

“Nandyan ‘yan (It’s there) but I recovered and I showed sa mga tao ko na that’s part of the game, that’s part of leadership,” he added.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa earlier said Sinas will stay at his post, saying the police official has played a role in mitigating the effects of COVID-19.

Sinas will keep his post even if he is facing criminal charges for supposedly violating lockdown protocols as he is “hard to replace” given the health crisis the country is facing, Gamboa said yesterday.

Malacañang, however, said it is considering the fate of Sinas.

The NCRPO chief visited shopping malls and other commercial establishments, where he checked the safety protocols being implemented to prevent people from getting infected with COVID-19.