But not due to traffic during PBBM visit: Cop chief relieved

CEBU, Philippines — Police Lieutenant Colonel Eunil Avergonzado has been relieved of his duties as the chief of the Consolacion Municipal Police Station.

The Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) confirmed Avergonzado’s relief, but denied reports that the move was related to the heavy traffic in Consolacion during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s visit to Cebu last week.

Police Major Sam Dacullo, information officer of the CPPO, told The Freeman that Avergonzado was issued with a relief order in accordance with the standard reshuffling of station commanders in the province.

He will be replaced by Police Lieutenant Colonel Verniño Noserale, who is then the chief of the Naga City Police Station.

Dacullo also affirmed that Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) Director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan made the reassignment order, which took effect on February 26—the same day when Marcos visited the DSWD’s processing center in Liloan, a town next to Consolacion.

However, Dacullo denied reports that Avergonzado’s relief was allegedly because of the traffic congestion experienced by the presidential convoy while passing through Consolacion. He emphasized that the timing of the presidential visit coincided with the day the order was released.

“Dile gyud na mao ang rason nga na-relieve si Avergonzado tungod na-traffic ang pagbisita ni President Bongbong Marcos. Nag-coincide lang ang relieve order nga nag-effect gahapon,” Dacullo said in an interview with The Freeman on Friday evening.

He also recognized that this sparked a controversy following reports that influenced the public to make wrong assumptions. He maintained that relieving of station commanders is a normal procedure among police officers, particularly those who have been in service for more than a year.

“Ang [gidugayon] gyud ni Sir Avergonzado (is) more than a year na pod siya ga-stay sa Consolacion. Anyway, si Sir Noserale more than a year na pod (sa Naga)—mao nang normal sa amo’ang officers nga naa gyud mga rotations na pagahimoon,” Dacullo explained.

Although he clarified that the relief of Avergonzado had nothing to do with Marcos' local visit, Dacullo also admitted that the traffic problem in Consolacion has been a long-standing issue experienced by most motorists and commuters passing through there, underscoring that long-overdue solutions are needed to address it.

“Ang Consolacion wala gyud na’y panahon nga wa’y trapik. Sauna pa lang daan na,” he said. “Mao nga pangitaan gyud na og solusyon … Pila na ka years until now, maglisod gyud ta og address ana’ng trapik.”

Meanwhile, Avergonzado has been transferred to the PRO-7 Headquarters, but it is not yet clear to which specific division he will be assigned, pending the results of courtesy calls that will be conducted in accordance with the police's standard operating procedures, said Dacullo.

Furthermore, the official turnover ceremony for Noserale as the new chief of the Consolacion Police is scheduled this week, on a date yet to be determined.

Dacullo asserted that this is the third time Noserale is appointed to lead the police force in Consolacion, noting that he previously served as the acting chief in 2023 and 2024. (CEBU NEWS)