CEBU CITY -- Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia defended the former chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CCPO) from what she described as “ungentlemanly castigation” by the officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Garcia called out Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao for supposedly publicly shaming Col. Engelbert Soriano, who was relieved as chief of the CPPO a few days after he expressed support for the governor’s face mask policy.

“I had already decided to let it be. Let the issue pass, let sleeping dogs lie. But then I had not counted on the very ungentlemanly castigation of Col. Soriano and I am told also, General (Roque Eduardo) Vega by the PNP OIC Danao,” said Garcia during a press briefing.

Vega is the regional director of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas.

The governor issued the statement in reaction to a news report where the PNP OIC chided Soriano for allegedly playing politics instead of following the chain of command.

In the news report, Danao was quoted as telling Soriano as ‘being hard headed because you are being a sucker there.’

“Wow sucker. In Bisaya, sipsip,” a seemingly perplexed Garcia said.

“You are still young for politicking,” Garcia read a portion of the report.

The governor said she was shocked with Danao’s remarks.

“I was shocked, this coming from a supposed top man in PNP hierarchy and talking about fellow officers perhaps lower in ranks but deserving of the courtesy as a fellow officer,” said Garcia.

The governor believed that Soriano was unceremoniously sacked after the police official sided with her executive order that made the wearing of face masks in open places optional.

“General Danao accusing Col. Soriano of being a sucker? I assure you, Soriano cannot be told what to do especially if this will involve him in politicking,” Garcia said.

Soriano had said he recognized Garcia’s EO on the optional wearing of face masks in open areas in a move that put him in virtual collision with his superiors who are also complying with the higher authorities.

“The PNP is mandated to enforce the law. Hence, Cebu PPO will support whatever is legal and supported by existing laws,” Soriano had said earlier.

“EO 16 of Cebu signed by Hon. Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia remains the law as far as Cebu province is concerned and we recognize that, unless it is later on invalidated by proper authority,” added Soriano.

Soriano’s stand, however, was in contrast to the directive of the Department of the Interior Local and Government, which instructed the police to ensure that the wearing of face masks is strictly observed in open areas.

For Garcia, Soriano’s statement was “safe and logical.”

“I have been trying to find out, again and again and ask what violent crime, what violent infraction did Col. Soriano commit except he took a stand recognizing my EO,” Garcia said.

“It was a well thought out, very prudent and responsible statement and for doing that, this is what he gets,” the governor added.

Garcia emphasized that Soriano was not into politicking.

“I don’t know about General Danao but what I know is that the elections are over. It’s no longer a season for politicking. Because the political campaign has ended or doesn’t he know that. I do know that there is “politicking” even within the PNP itself,” said Garcia.

Garcia said it was wrong for Danao to publicly accuse Soriano of irregularities.

“This is addressed to Danao. When you accuse someone publicly and a fellow officer at that, that does not speak well of your character,” Garcia said.

The governor also posed a question to the PNP OIC.

“Perhaps I can also publicly ask this question, are you not politicking? Hindi ka ba nag sisipsip (Are you not being a sucker) so you will be finally appointed? Do not accuse other people that you may yourself be suspected of. Above all, all officers, all uniformed personnel in the PNP for as long as they have acted within the bounds of law deserve all due respect even from an OIC PNP Chief like Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that Vega and Soriano’s replacement, Col. Erwin Lim, had visited her to inform her of the change of leadership at CPPO.