I write regarding the mañanita gathering in celebration of the birthday of Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas last May 8.
As a Philippine Military Academy graduate (Class of 1964), I am embarrassed that one of our own in the PMA community, no less than the chief enforcer of the lockdown regime in the National Capital Region, himself violated the lockdown rule on social gatherings, a violation that struck hard at the heart of the law enacted to beat the COVID-19 threat in our country.
I understand that President Duterte has opted to keep General Sinas at his post as National Capital Region Police Office head, pending “further instructions,” a decision which I thought could induce discordant voices among us at this perilous time when we should all be united in support of our government in its difficult task of driving the virus away.
With due respect to our Commander in Chief, I must say that General Sinas is not above the law — no one is. That said, the general should be held accountable for his misdeed. Not taking action against him will have serious implications and consequences. It will irreparably undermine the sincerity and seriousness and sense of purpose of our government in pursuing draconian lockdown measures. What if ordinary, less privileged, citizens caught violating some lockdown rule resist arrest and invoke the principle of equal protection of the law — saying that a general who violated the rule against social gathering has not been subjected to arrest?
General Sinas, please, as an elder PMAyer, let me say to you: The honorable thing to do is to offer to resign your position as NCRPO head, go on terminal leave, and save the President from agonizing over what to do with you.
Col. Leonardo O. Odono (Ret.)
PMA ’64
colloo64@yahoo.com