The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) issued an official denial about the alleged involvement of Governor Edgar Chatto with the reported proliferation of illegal drugs in Bohol and categorically dismissed claims that the governor is a drug protector.

BPPO Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Dennis Palo Agustin flatly debunked the barrage of accusations against Chatto during a press conference this afternoon, Monday, April 18, 2016. at the the PNP Headquarters, Camp Dagohoy, Tagbilaran City.

“I am thankful for the continued and unstinting support of the Provincial Government of Bohol led by Governor Chatto and Provincial Administrator Alfonso “Ae” Damalerio”

Coming on the heels of persistent attacks by critics of Chatto and Damalerio linking them to the proliferation of the illegal drug trade in Bohol, Agustin cited his report during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) monthly meeting on the BPPO’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Loisella Lucino also told media that Chatto holds the distinction of the only governor in Central Visayas that convenes the PPOC every month.

Agustin said “our records will show that our anti-illegal drug operations has netted several top drug personalities in Bohol that has resulted in a 285% increase in the number of persons arrested”.

According to Agustin, in 2014-2015 drug operations, the police seized more than P30 million worth of shabu with the latest arrest of Eddie Vano, tagged as a Level 1 drug personality based in Carmen, Bohol.

Vano was arrested after months of surveillance in his farm house where 80 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P994,000.00 – considered the biggest single biggest haul this year.

With the war on illegal drugs in the province showing no let-up, the malicious accusations against Chatto and Damalerio has become harder to sustain with the BPPO vowing to turn Bohol into a drug free province. (Chito M. Visarra)