DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. (File photo)
MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday reminded local government officials and police officers to set a good example in implementing quarantine protocols.
“Ang ating sinasabi sa ating mga government officials lalo na sa nasasakupan ng DILG, ito 'yung tinatawag nating delicadeza, may mga pagkakataon na kailangan maging (good) example ka (What we are telling government officials, especially those under the DILG, is to have delicadeza. There are instances when we should set a good example),” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a radio interview.
He was reacting to the incident where a party was allegedly held at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Taguig City for the birthday of its chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas last week.
“Habang nasa ECQ tayo, wala 'yung mga celebration na ganyan, 'yung mga organized dinner na ganito, hindi 'yan ano... delicadeza nga eh (While we are under ECQ, there must be no celebrations like that, even those organized dinners. That is not right. We are talking of delicadeza here). Right then and there, dapat ipatigil mo (you should have it stopped)," he added.
Pictures of the occasion went viral and drew flak on social media as mass gatherings remain prohibited under quarantine rules.
Año said he would let the Philippine National Police (PNP) investigate the matter.
Probe underway
In a statement, Gamboa has directed the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to investigate the matter.
He ordered the IAS Inspector General to send an investigation team to NCRPO to initiate a formal inquiry into the incident.
“The PNP is not exempt from strict rules on mass gathering and I am directing all unit commanders to prohibit any and all social gatherings,” Gamboa said.
He also strongly reiterated the strict observance of all public health protocols and biosafety standards by all personnel at all times.
Sinas says sorry
Sinas, meanwhile, apologized over the incident.
"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," he said in a statement.
He explained that his "accommodation to the police" was to do it with extreme caution in compliance with anti-Covid-19 measures.
He also some of the pictures circulating on 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," he added. (PNA)
