By Helen Castaño | 08:02 PM March 07, 2024
Amidst the issue of prominent leaders’ involvement in illegal gambling, Police Col. Lorenzo Batuan, director of Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has cleared Governor Aris Aumentado.
“Dili mana tinuod. He is not involved in the illegal gambling and drug trade” Batuan told reporters during a press conference Tuesday, March 7, 2024.
Batuan added it was in fact Aumentado who instructed him to run after all illegal gambling operations and arrest all the people behind it when he assumed office last 2022.
Moreover, the governor also ordered the police to go after illegal drugs, loose firearms and other illegal activities, the BPPO chief continued.
Last Monday, retired Col. Teopisto Cabagnot, second degree cousin of Aumentado, accused the governor of being involved in illegal gambling.
“Ayaw ko ingna wala siya kahibaw ana? Kaila gani ko ni Kristo nga wala mi magkita, ” Cabagnot said in a press conference.
On the contrary, Batuan said there is no truth to Cabagnot’s allegations saying he was ready to face Cabagnot to confront him about accusations that he is also on the take.
Also present during the BPPO press conference were Lt. Col. Joseph Berondo, provincial operations and management unit head; Lt. Col. Hernan Legaspi, provincial administrative and resource management unit head; and Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, BPPO information officer.
During the same press conference, the speakers also presented the BPPO accomplishment report for 2023 until this March.
A total of 722 successful arrests were made for illegal gambling, drugs, weapons on the loose, illegal logging, illegal fishing, and other offenses, as well as the most wanted persons and other wanted persons for the province and region.
In keeping their mission to serve the province, the BPPO seized P172,746,248 worth of shabu from January 20, 2023 to March 6 which proves that the police is doing its job.
Batuan reiterated that contrary to the allegations by critics, there is no shabu laboratory in Bohol and the illegal drug supply is from other provinces.
He also took the occasion to thank Aumentado and the provincial government as well as the community and other agencies for the support given to the BPPO in its efforts to maintain peace and order. With reports from PIMO/RJG
