THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered the relief of Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Director Colonel Engelbert Soriano from post “for career advancement.”PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said Soriano’s relief was effective June 12, 2022.“His relief is pursuant to the provisions of PNP Memorandum Circular 2022-002, which states that Provincial Director, City Director or COP (chief of police) of NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) shall be held by a PCOL (Police Colonel) for a continuous period of one year, extendible to a maximum of three months upon approval by the CPNP (chief PNP),” she said.“This is for career advancement and to give greater opportunity to other qualified third Level PCOs (Police Commissioned Officers). PCOL Soriano served as PD, CPPO for more than one year,” she added.Fajardo said Colonel Elmer Lim was designated as the officer-in-charge of the provincial police office.Soriano has been in bad light for siding with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, who ordered the lifting of the mandatory wearing of face masks in open and well-ventilated areas in the province.He said they will implement Garcia’s order despite getting a word from Interior Secretary Eduardo Año that they should continue to apprehend individuals not wearing face masks in accordance with the minimum health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force and approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.Soriano also contradicted Central Visayas Police Director Brigadier General Roque Eduardo Vega who said they will abide by Año’s order. (SunStar Philippines)