PNP to investigate Sinas' alleged harassment of retired cop's family in Taguig
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 20) – The Philippine National Police will look into a report that Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas and his men threatened the family of a retired cop to move out of their home within camp grounds.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa said authorities will roll out a probe after CCTV footages posted by a man named Arles Delos Santos went viral on Facebook last Saturday. In the video, Sinas arrived at the property flanked by at least 10 cops in uniform and went to remove the makeshift gate, where they were confronted by the family residing in the house. There was at least one policeman carrying a high-powered rifle based on the video.
"We will investigate kung paano nila na-carry out itong order na ito but of course, alam naman natin na ang video would speak a thousand words, that's why we will investigate what happened during that confrontation [We will investigate how they carried out this order but of course, we know that the view would speak a thousand words, that's why we will investigate what happened during that confrontation]," Gamboa said in a Monday briefing.
Sinas, who reportedly insisted that the government owns the property and the family should not be staying there, personally confronted the residents in a loud voice. A man in a wheelchair was seen reasoning with the police officer, while another cop grabbed the cell phone of one of the residents when he was seen taking a video recording.
Sinas and his group eventually left. Delos Santos said they presented documents like a land title and a special power of attorney from the land owner to prove that the house is private property and they had every right to live there, claiming that the document is signed by Sinas himself.
This is not the first time when Sinas was in hot water after he rose to power as Metro Manila police chief. In December, Sinas was under fire for snapping at a lady reporter who was trying to get an interview, while in May, he was charged for holding a birthday feast or mañanita with fellow cops in the middle of the lockdown.
Gamboa said Sinas explained to him that he had a huge group of officers with him as they went around the camp looking for possible quarantine sites amid rising infections among the PNP, which has reached more than 1,500 cases.
RELATED: UN sounds alarm on PH's 'highly militarized' lockdown response
"This is a lot owned by the Philippine National Police and I'm sure marami nang notices [there have been many notices] that have been given to them to vacate," he added, noting that it was his directive to set up quarantine areas in all regional headquarters.
Offhand, the police chief said existing rules allow PNP personnel to avail of free housing or quarters, which they have to vacate within a month after leaving the service. Gamboa admitted that there were illegal settlers among PNP-owned properties, which they are seeking to remove.
CNN Philippines' Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
