Using a revised version of Kim Chiu’s “sa classroom may batas” statement, Arnold Clavio blasted National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Major General Debold Sinas for alleged violation of lockdown protocols during his “birthday bash” last week.
The veteran broadcast journalist’s post read: “SA ILALIM NG ECQ MAY BATAS, BAWAL MAG-BIRTHDAY PARTY, OH BAWAL ANG BIRTHDAY PARTY.
“PERO ‘PAG SINABI, ‘PAG NAG-COMPLY KA NA BAWAL ANG PUBLIC GATHERINGS AT SOCIAL DISTANCING PERO MAY GINAWA KA SA PINAGBABAWAL NILA, INAYOS MO ‘YONG RULES NG ECQ NIYO AT SINABMIT MO ULIT SA HEPE MO AY PWEDE NA PALA ANG MAÑANITA.”
Sinas drew flak after photos of him celebrating his 55th birthday with his men amid the enhanced community quarantine were posted online.
Critics and public officials condemned Sinas’ action, with some calling for his and other involved police officers’ arrest.
“Right there and then dapat ipatigil mo kung merong ganyan. That’s a big no-no habang nasa ECQ tayo, meron tayong krisis. Wala dapat mga celebration na ganyan,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.
While Sinas apologized for his actions, he also claimed that it was a surprise mañanita or morning serenade, not a party, and that some of the circulating photos were edited.
“Some of the pictures circulating in the social media were edited and grabbed from old posts. The pictures may depict itself however it does not define the totality of what really had happened,” said Sinas in a statement.
He added, “Nevertheless, I apologize for what transpired during my birthday that caused anxiety to the public. It was never my intention to disobey any existing protocols relative to the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine.”
In a Philstar.com report, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Sinas along with other participants of his birthday party are facing criminal charges for violation of quarantine protocols against mass gathering.
