Roque, Pacquiao quarantine breach probe completed next week: PNP

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (left) and Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao (right). (PNA File photo)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said its probe on the alleged violations of health protocols by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao is expected to be completed next week.

PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, said the results of the investigation would then be submitted to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

“I have set a deadline until Monday next week so we can forward the recommendations to Secretary Año so that he would see the results of the inquiry and the investigation conducted by our PNP commanders,” Sinas said in a television interview on Thursday.

Recently, Año directed the PNP to investigate Roque and Pacquiao after the events that they attended drew a large crowd, which violates quarantine protocols.

Large gatherings are currently prohibited under guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

On Tuesday, Roque slammed the supposed “unfair” coverage of some media outlets after netizens criticized his attendance in an event in Cebu province, which drew in a large crowd while failing to observe physical distancing.

In a press conference, Roque said he was resentful because media outlets were quick to point out how he was surrounded by crowds but seemingly ignored how Vice President Leni Robredo herself would even shake hands with individuals she would meet in relief operations and other activities.

Roque said it seemed that media outlets purposely left out reporting about Robredo’s violation of quarantine protocols.

He added that he had no control over the people who would go outside to see him.