THE big bold police general who earned his popularity at the height of the government-imposed country-wide lockdown is the new national police chief.
In an announcement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Police Major General Debold Sinas as the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing PNP Director General Camilo Cascolan who retires tomorrow, November 10.
Sinas, who is currently the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) became controversial over the mañanita held inside the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on May 8, marking his birthday.
The affair would not have been noticed if not for the photo of the gathering uploaded by the NCRPO media relations office in the social media.
The photos went viral as it showed wanton disregard and glaring violation of the government-imposed lockdown guidelines strictly prohibiting mass gatherings and the observance of physical distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interestingly, Duterte opted to keep Sinas even as the President hinted no fault on the NCRPO chief by saying it was his subordinates serenaded him on his birthday.
The President’s decision to retain Sinas to his post created a public outrage on the social media which ran for about six weeks.