THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) headquarters yesterday ordered the relief of Chief Superintendent Jose Mario M. Espino as head of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 (Central Visayas) police office, along with 12 other police officials, effective immediately. Mr. Espino was directed to report to PRO-10 (Northern Mindanao) “as soon as possible via shortest route by any means of transportation.” His relief comes three days before Cebu City marks its Sinulog on Sunday, one of the country’s biggest annual festivals. Chief Superintendent Robert G. Quenery from Cagayan Valley Region will succeed Mr. Espino. The head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in the Visayas, Rolando B. Felix, said the reshuffling of officials is PNP routine. Mr. Felix also said that Mr. Quenery will not have a problem leading the Sinulog operations since he only has to oversee the plan implementation. Mr. Espino’s leadership of PRO-7 was marked by several issues such as allegations that he solicited “payola” from illegal gambling operators. — The Freeman
