If Metro Manila police chief Major General Debold Sinas had his way, he would rather Filipinos stop holding protests during the coronavirus pandemic because it adds more work for the police force.

Sinas – who has become notorious for breaking quarantine protocols by celebrating his birthday with dozens of cops last May – said this when asked by Anakalusugan Representative Mike Defensor in a House hearing on Monday, August 3, about how the police protected themselves when they were deployed to man rallies in the past weeks.

“Kung ako sir tatanungin mo talaga, Mr Chairman…kung puwede ‘wag na talaga sanang mag-rally. Kasi ‘pag nag-ra-rally po sa kalsada, mahaharangan ‘yung naglalakad…at tsaka dagdag trabaho pa rin kasi ita-transport pa namin ‘yung mga tao namin na magbabantay sa kanila hanggang uuwi sila,” said Sinas.

(If you’re going to ask me, Mr Chairman, I’d prefer that people not hold rallies for now. Because when they protest in the streets, they block pedestrians, and it’s extra work for us because we have to transport our people who will be keeping an eye on them until they go back home.)

Before directly asking a question to Sinas, Defensor implied that Filipinos who protested against the anti-terror law, the closure of media giant ABS-CBN, and the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte supposedly endangered the police deployed during their demonstrations. 

The congressman has emerged to be a staunch Duterte ally in the House, having voted in favor of both the anti-terror law and the rejection of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“Kasi ang hirap po nito, General, ang problema natin, kapag ginipit ninyo, sasabihin freedom of expression, ginigipit ninyo, freedom to publicly assemble…. Ngayon ho, kayong mga pulis, siyempre na-expose din kayo [sa COVID-19] pagka ganyan. Ano hong suggestion ‘nyo sa kanila kung may ganyan sila?” asked Defensor.

(The problem here, General, is that when you try to stop them, they’ll say you’re trampling on freedom of expression, freedom to publicly assemble.… Now, the police may get exposed to COVID-19 when these things happen. What do you suggest should be done in situations like this?)

Sinas first recalled Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa’s appeal for SONA protesters to just to hold their demonstrations online. But Duterte’s critics were still able to protest inside the University of the Philippines Diliman campus.

Sinas then said cops are now wearing personal protective equipment during their duty hours. He said they were also issued batons so they could enforce physical distancing without having to touch other people. 

It was at this point when Sinas told Defensor that he wishes Filipinos would stop protesting to avoid giving extra work to the police during the COVID-19 crisis.

The PNP, however, has established a record of arresting demonstrators, even those who follow health protocols.

This is a far cry from Sinas’ own violation of quarantine rules back in May. He is facing criminal and administrative complaints, but has not been penalized to date. – Rappler.com