It had to come from him.
Gabriela Women’s Partylist chided National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Maj. General Debold Sinas for reminding Muslim leaders to refrain from gathering during the Eid al-Fitr festival on Monday, May 25, in compliance to quarantine protocols mandated under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared May 25, Eidl al-Fitr, a regular holiday, the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
“Kaya nga isa andito mga admin ng malalaking mosque, nakiusap kami na sana iwasan nila dahil bawal iyon ayon sa direktiba ng IATF, nasa MECQ tayo. Until such time na i-grant ng gobyerno,” Sinas said.
Gabriela’s official Twitter account retweeted a GMA News story asking Sinas “How about birthday parties Sir?” an obvious allusion to Sinas’ infamous birthday party.
How about birthday parties, sir? ????
— Gabriela Women’s Party (@GabrielaWomenPL) May 22, 2020
Other netizens also joined in.
NCRPO Chief Sinas: Any form of mass gathering not allowed during Eid’l Fitr
ME: Pero kapag birthday mo, pwede? pic.twitter.com/FfdcGi63Pz
— Leisbeth Recto (@leisbeth_recto) May 22, 2020
???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/NNHlv3d1rp
— #FreeMassTestingNowPH (@RomanoRomansa) May 22, 2020
The NCRPO chief was heavily criticized on social media after photos of his ‘mañanita’ and birthday gathering were posted in the NCRPO’s official Facebook page showing guests not wearing face masks and observing social distancing protocols. Beer cans were also seen on the tables which are a violation of the anti-liquor ban during the lockdown.
The post has since been deleted. Sinas issued an apology over the photos but claimed the photos were “edited”.
“Every year talagang nagtitipon-tipon ang mga ‘yan. Kaya nga ang ginawa namin, kinausap namin ang mga Imams na based sa directive ng IATF, close pa rin ‘yung malalaking mosques, wala pa rin pagtitipon kasi ‘yun ‘yung policy ng IATF,” Sinas said.
“Ang sabi ni chief PNP magprepare kami kasi ‘yung mga mosques, guwardiyahan atsaka tingnan na ‘yung directive ng IATF ay masunod na walang pagtitipon-tipon o pagdadasal…” he added.
Aside from mosques, Sinas added that Metro Manila cops would also check open spaces including Luneta and Quirino Grandstand to ensure no mass gatherings will happen.
The police official added that he requested Muslim leaders to conduct home religious service and worship for their followers instead. (Rommel F. Lopez)