The provincial director of Cebu Police Provincial Office was sacked from his post reportedly over the controversial executive order of the provincial government which lifts the mandatory use of face masks in the province.

But Police Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said Police Col. Engelbert Soriano was relieved for overstaying in his post as top police official of Cebu Province.

"His relief is pursuant to the provisions of PNP Memorandum Circular 2022-002, which states that Provincial Director, City Director shall be held by a Police Colonel for a continuous period of one year, extendible to a maximum of three months upon approval by the Chief PNP," said Fajardo.

He said Soriano has been serving as Provincial Director of Cebu for more than a year now.

Soriano's relief took effect on June 12 and Fajardo said: "This is for career advancement and to give greater opportunity to other qualified Third Level Police Commissioned Officers."

Soriano was reported to have backed the executive order of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia which gives local residents and those visiting Cebu the option not to wear face masks even in public places.

PNP Officer-In-Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao earlier said the implementation of the mandatory face mask will continue in Cebu despite the executive order of Garcia.

He said there is a direct order from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año for the PNP to keep enforcing the minimum health safety protocols nationwide that include the mandatory use of face masks in public places.

"To all members of the PNP. Remember we are members of the national government. So whatever the mandate or whatever the order of our SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government), let us follow it," said Danao on Monday, June 13, apparently in response to reported support of Soriano to the order of Garcia.

"Now, if you think you cannot follow, you resign, it's that simple," he stressed.