The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) has seen a significant drop in its Net Performance Rating (NPR), according to the results of the 2024 Bohol Poll. 

The decline has sparked concern among the public and has become a topic of intense discussion among netizens.

The NPR, which stood at a robust +73 in 2019, has been on a downward trajectory, falling to +61 in 2022 and further to +60 in 2023. 

The latest poll, however, has revealed a precipitous drop to +37, marking a substantial decrease in the BPPO’s performance under the stewardship of PCol Lorenzo Batuan.

The decline has been attributed to the BPPO’s perceived inability to effectively tackle the issue of illegal drugs in the province. 

Despite concerted efforts to combat drug-related activities in the past, the recent Performance Rating suggests a failure in stemming the tide of illegal substances.

The falling rating has led to a surge in public dissatisfaction with the BPPO’s actions. 

Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of the current strategies and the leadership’s capacity to address pressing issues that impact the community.

Batuan is now under mounting pressure to address these concerns and enhance the overall performance of the police force.

LINKED TO SWERTRES

In a recent turn of events, Bohol Governor Erico Aris Aumentado and Police Col. Lorenzo Batuan, director of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), have been implicated in allegations related to the operation of illegal Swertres, a popular numbers game, in the province.

The allegations were made by Retired Colonel Teofisto Cabagnot, who claimed to be a partner in applying for a franchise to operate Swertres in Bohol. 

Cabagnot alleged that he gave an envelope containing P300,000 to Aumentado, allegedly from Diego Ty, as a payoff for the governor’s approval.

However, both Aumentado and Batuan have vehemently denied these accusations. 

Aumentado, who was in Germany when the controversy was exposed by Cabagnot, released a statement asserting his administration’s commitment to fight illegal gambling. 

He also mentioned that he had given a mandate to the BPPO, under the leadership of PCOL. Lorenzo Batuan, to organize operations and end this societal cancer.

Batuan, on his part, refuted Cabagnot’s claims, stating that since assuming office at BPPO in 2022, he had led the campaign against illegal gambling operations in the province. 

In response to the Governor’s directive, BPPO conducted over 500 anti-illegal gambling operations, including illegal Swertres.

Despite the denials, the allegations have stirred controversy and raised questions about the effectiveness of the current strategies in place to combat illegal gambling in Bohol.