THE beleaguered Bohol Provincial police director Col. Lorenzo A. Batuan dismissed the bribery allegation concocted by some quarters in connection with the illegal gambling operations in the province.
‘It’s a big lie.’ It is how he described the allegation that his office along with other law enforcement agencies is receiving alleged payola as protection money of the illegal gambling.
He was also quick to apparently rescue Governor Aris Aumentado, who was tagged by retired Col Teofisto Cabagnot as allegedly involved in illegal gambling.
“Dili man na tinuod.” (It’s not true that the governor is involved in illegal gambling), Batuan told a press conference held at Camp Dagohoy last week.
Cabagnot, who admitted he was into gambling, “Peryahan ng Bayan” but it’s legal, insinuated that some of the big names in provincial and municipal government are allegedly recipients of the payola based on the list of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
This writer got some of the names being mentioned by Cabagnot but decided to keep it under wraps until such time that their sides of the story may be validated.
Batuan said that the governor instructed him after his assumption in 2022 to shift focus on running after the illegal gambling, instead of prioritizing campaign against illegal drugs. And he did, he said.
Based on the data presented by Col. Joseph Berondo, a total of 250 were arrested in 59 police operations and confiscated a total of P21,235.00 as bet money for swertres during the period January 1 to Dec. 31, 2023.
Fifteen were arrested in 15 operations and P6,287.00 as bet money for swertres in illegal gambling during January 1 to March 6 this year, Berondo said.
The data showed a total of P166,030.00 in 2023 and P23,021.00 from illegal gambling during the first three months this year.
Other forms of illegal gambling the police are running after during those periods included cockfighting, car games, e-sabong, Cara y cruz (hantak), mahjong and others, police report said.
Provincial Operations Head Lt. Col. Joseph Berondo, Provincial Administrative Head Lt. Col. Hernan Legaspi, BPPO information officer Lt. Col. Norman Nuez and other police officers were present during the said press conference. (ricobedencio@yahoo.com)
