Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas warned those who will attend parties this Christmas season that they might get arrested.
“Yes, bawal… Bawal ang party…” Sinas said.
“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.
Sinas earlier ordered that Christmas parties are not allowed in all units of the police force, following the national government’s directive to discourage celebrations during the holidays.
He also gave an order to police officers not to arrest people if the violation is simply improper wearing of face masks and shields.
“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,” Sinas said.
“We have given instruction na i-remind na lang at pagsabihan… karamihan naman po ay sumusunod,” he added.
Snias gained notoriety after a surprise birthday celebration was thrown at him last May by his subordinates and supporters while still chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCR) while Metro Manila was under the strict implementation of quarantine protocols due to the onslaught of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Public backlash was swift with netizens calling for his sacking.
Sinas, together with other police officers, were charged with criminal complaints before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office due to this incident. The case is still pending.
President Rodrigo Duterte defended Sinas and even appointed him as the 25th PNP chief in November. RJ Espartinez