Bohol police seized approximately P245 million worth of shabu during the two-year tenure of former provincial director Col. Lorenzo Batuan.
Batuan, who left his post on Oct. 21, was replaced by Col. Arnel Banzon in a ceremony attended by Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7.
During Batuan’s tenure, the Bohol police conducted at least 1,264 anti-illegal drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 1,365 suspects and the seizure of at least 36 kilograms of illegal drugs. The suspects are currently facing charges in court.
Batuan also reported on the police’s performance in combating illegal gambling, loose firearms, and other crimes.
He implemented key community relations projects, including a program that provided free homes to selected poor families.
New Bohol Provincial Director Col. Arnel Banzon, who assumed his role on Oct. 21, acknowledged the pressure of following in Batuan’s footsteps.
Banzon vowed to continue Batuan’s programs, including the Libreng Alagad ug Balay, which provides free homes to poor families in Bohol.
Banzon, who has relatives in the province and spent his childhood in the barracks of Camp Dagohoy, said he has seen the positive impact of the program and wants to continue providing assistance to families with the help of the police and other government agencies.
In a separate operation, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Team (PDET) arrested a former person deprived of liberty (PDL) on Oct. 21 in Cortes town.
The suspect, identified as Ramonito Sebandal, 34, was caught in a buy-bust operation and found to be in possession of at least P13.4 million worth of alleged shabu.
Sebandal, a resident of barangay Upper de la Paz, Cortes, was arrested after transacting with a poseur buyer.
The operatives seized at least 510 grams of alleged shabu from the suspect, who claimed the drugs were consigned to him by an unknown source. Sebandal is currently in custody and will face charges soon.