By Lesley Vestil
Cebu City – The Central Visayas police chief has been reassigned to Mindanao.
After six months, Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino has been relieved and will now head the regional police in Northern Mindanao or Region 10.
He will be replaced by Chief Supt. Robert Guzman Quenery from the Cagayan Valley Police Regional Office (PRO 2).
The order for Espino’s relief was issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame.
He said his relief is part of a PNP reshuffle implemented after the retirement of one its senior officials.
The order did not specify the reason for Espino’s relief. But he and his wife are being investigated by the PNP Regional Internal Affairs Services over allegations they were on the payroll of illegal gambling personalities. Espino has denied the allegations.
He said he will stay in Cebu until Sunday to help lead regional police secure this year’s Sinulog.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña was surprised by Espino’s relief.