Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — The Philippine National Police on Tuesday announced that it relieved Police Col. Engelbert Soriano as provincial director of Cebu Police Provincial Office.
In a statement, the PNP said Soriano’s relief “is pursuant to the provisions of PNP Memorandum Circular 2022-002, which states that Provincial Director, City Director or COP of NCRPO shall be held by a PCOL for a continuous period of one year, extendible to a maximum of three months upon approval by the CPNP. This is for career advancement and to give greater opportunity to other qualified Third Level PCOs.”
The decision was effective June 12. Police Col. Elmer Lim was designated as officer-in-charge of Cebu Police Provincial Office.
The announcement came days after Soriano issued a statement supporting Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia’s order on making the use of face masks optional when outdoors.
Soriano said Garcia’s order “remains the law as far as Cebu Province is concerned and we recognize that unless it is later on invalidated by proper authority.”
The controversial order—which the Cebu Provincial Board approved on Tuesday—has been rejected by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who said the Department of Health was not consulted about the matter.
Vergeire also reminded local officials to follow the Inter-Agency Task Force’s rules. Malacañang also said that the IATF’s policies shall prevail over orders issued by local government units.
