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Alvarez issues challenge to Sinas after gruesome killings

Philippines | National

Alvarez issues challenge to Sinas after gruesome killings

By Ellson Quismorio

Reform the police force or resign.

Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez TOTO (LOZANO/Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

This was Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez's challenge Monday to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Debold Sinas following the gruesome murders of a mother and her son by Police Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca in Tarlac over the weekend.

A video of the killings has since made rounds on social media and placed the spotlight anew on the PNP, for all the wrong reasons.

"The video footage of a policeman shooting, in cold blood, two unarmed citizens at point blank is both disheartening and alarming. What happened is not acceptable. We rightly condemn it in the strongest possible terms," said Alvarez, who is a former House Speaker.

"Pursuant to this aim, let us also demand that command responsibility be implemented in our police force led by PNP Chief Debold Sinas. If the Chief cannot effectively lead PNP and guide its personnel towards serving and protecting the Filipino people, he should not be PNP Chief at all," he reckoned.

Alvarez further told Sinas: "Failure of leadership is not acceptable. Lives are at risk. The credibility of the police force is in ruins. Reform the PNP or resign."

President Duterte appointed Sinas as PNP head honcho in early November, replacing General Camilo Cascolan.

Sinas became a controversial figure last May when he and several police officers defied physical distancing and face mask protocols during his birthday bash.

It was also last November when Alvarez bolted Duterte's Partido Demokratiko Pilipinoâ€“Lakas ng Bayan party.

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