Cordova police chief faces relief

CEBU, Philippines - Inspector Noli Cernio, the chief of the Cordova Police Station, may be relieved from his post as part of the revamp being implemented by Police Regional Office (PRO) – 7 Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr. for a more efficient organization.

Aside from Cernio, Supt. Ernie Talion of the Regional Police Community Relations Office is also replaced by his deputy, Supt. Armando Radoc.

Earlier, Sr. Supt. Anthony Obenza was also taken out of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and replaced by Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas as officer-in-charge.Garbo said all these are part of their performance enhancement program. This would be a chance for the officers to improve their capabilities as public servants by exploring other fields and a chance for junior officers to take the lead, he added.

“This is a warning to everyone to live up with the expectations of the organization. They already know this and we have our own integrated transformation program or the performance governance system,” he said.  

Aside from the three, there are several others who will follow for failing to follow his directives like the strict implementation of the Integrated Patrol System; the fight against illegal drugs and their mandated meetings.

Cernio sees no problem with his relief, if this pushes through, because it is part of their life as policeman. He has no right to refuse an order from his superior, he added.

“Wa ko’y problema ana kay ang police officers come and go ra man,” he said. (No problem. It’s a come-and-go life for us.)

Cernio took over the post in April last year.

When asked if he did something wrong to warrant his relief, he answered maybe.

“Basin lang naa ko’y sayop but so far checkpoints, policy and guidelines amo ma’ng natuman,” he said. (I may have committed some mistakes but I made sure we followed our policies and guidelines.)

He said there was one time when he was not able to inform right away the Police Provincial Tactical Operation Center of an incident in his jurisdiction because he was busy.

For his part, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, said relieving his men is a prerogative of the regional director and they cannot do anything about it.

But he also pointed out that police chiefs really do not stay long in their posts because they are only allowed two years for each assignment.  (FREEMAN)