Bohol Provincial Police has new director

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) finally has a new director in lieu of the longest-serving official, Sr. Supt. Constantino Barot Jr.

Senior Supt. Dennis Agustin took over the BPPO helm from Baron during a turnover ceremony at Camp Dagohoy last Wednesday, administered by Police Regional Office-7 director, Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino and Gov. Edgar Chatto.

Agustin was promoted to the rank of senior superintendent last March while assigned to the PNP Headquarters Support Service Division.

Barot, who was BPPO director since September 8, 2010, finally got his overdue promotion, as he left the provincial command for assignment to the PRO-7 Office of the Regional Director in Cebu.

Barot completed the usual 2-year stint of a provincial director in September last year but, in the exigency of service, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) requested the PNP to extend his stint in Bohol, especially with the Christmas season at that time and the elections.

Chatto, for his part, said Agustin would have the same commitment of Barot in fighting all forms of crimes in Bohol.

The PPOC also wanted to stabilize the momentum of general peace and order achieved during Barot's administration, adding that Agustin is very competent also in law enforcement and maintenance of peace and order in the province.

Agustin said his action plan includes elimination of illegal gambling and drugs and robbery. His installation at BPPO also paved the way for the return of Supt. Nicomedes Olaivar as chief of the Provincial Public Safety Company.

Olaivar, at the height of his anti-illegal drugs campaign that resulted in the arrest of several suspects, was unexpectedly transferred to the PRO-7 earlier this year and then to his latest assignment at Camp Crame. (FREEMAN)