NCRPO chief, 18 others face raps over ECQ 'party'

MANILA – National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas and 18 other police officers are now facing criminal charges in connection with his birthday celebration that allegedly violated quarantine protocols.

Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) led by Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo filed the charges of violation of City Ordinance No. 12, series of 2020, which imposes mandatory wearing of face masks and physical distancing, and Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act before the Taguig City Prosecutors' Office on Friday.

Other named respondents are Brigadier Generals Nicolas Bathan, Florencio Quibuyen, Florencio Ortilla, Gerry Galvan and Ildelbrandy Usana; Colonels Eliseo Tanding, Remus Medina, Raul Tacaca, Emmanuel Peralta, Tomas Frias, Rodel Pastor, Ferdinand Ortega and Manuel Abrugena: Lt. Col. Orlando Carag Jr.; Majors Epream Paguyod and Britz Sales; and Corporals Abdumar Bakil and Bernie Lazaga.

In a separate report submitted to PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, Triambulo said the mass gathering also constitutes administrative offenses.

These include less grave neglect of duty under Rule 21 section 2 (B), item (1) sub-item of National Police Commission (Napolcom) Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002 for refusal or neglect to observe enhanced community quarantine protocols prohibiting mass gatherings, as Section 2, paragraph 7, Omnibus Guidelines enforced by Executive Order No. 112. s 2020 provides and less grave misconduct under Rule 21, Section 2(B) item. sub-item (i) of Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002 on account of violation of Republic Act 11332, Sec. 9 in relation with Sec.10.

The pieces of evidence showing these violations were obtained through photos circulating on social media, the PNP-IAS said.

Sinas earlier apologized for the incident, which was held at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig City, but claimed some of the pictures circulating on social media were edited and grabbed from old posts. (PNA)