A high-ranking official at Camp Crame's Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed full confidence in the leadership of Police Senior Superintendent Dennis Palo Agustin, saying the Bohol PNP director can competently solve the alarming problem of illegal drugs which have been largely blamed on the fast rise of heinous crimes in Bohol. Police Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr. in a meeting in Cebu Friday has said that Agustin is an outstanding and hard-working policeman, who is gifted with an extensive intelligence skill. “Alam ko magaling ka. We've been working together. I know you well,” Garbo told Agustin after the Bohol PNP director presented the Performance Governance System (PGS) compendium of the Bohol PNP before high-ranking PNP and National Police Commission (Napolcom) officials, including members of the PNP Regional and Provincial Advisory Councils.

The PGS contains the plans and programs of the Bohol PNP, including its vision for Bohol in the next two years. It also highlights the rare achievements and best practices of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) being implemented by Agustin since he was appointed by Gov. Edgar Chatto as the province's anti-crime czar late August last year. Garbo told Agustin that the problem on illegal drugs remains a huge concern in Bohol despite the almost daily anti-drug crackdown conducted by Agustin and the entire Bohol police forces. Never has it happened before in the history of Bohol PNP that drug buy-busts and drug raids are conducted provincewide on a daily basis amid scant police financial resources. Garbo's comment on Agustin's performance came after the Bohol PNP director had presented BPPO's plans and programs, including the challenges it faces today, “all for the purpose of keeping Bohol as a peaceful and safe place for the Boholanos and tourists.”

“I believe that it is easier to solve the drug problem than the insurgency,” pointed out Garbo, national PNP's chief of the Directorate Staff based in Camp Crame in Manila. “Mas mabigat na problema ang insurgency pero na-solve nyo sa Bohol. Naniniwala ako na kaya nyo na ma-solve ang problema sa druga,” Garbo told Agustin. Garbo, former regional PNP director in Central Visayas, said that he personally believes that an insurgency problem involving the communists or the New People's Army (NPA) is more complicated to address and solve than the problem on illegal drugs. Garbo told the panel that he has been impressed with the provincial leadership of Bohol led by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto on how he keeps Bohol free from insurgency problems. “Sa NPA problem, hindi mo alam kung sino sila – pero sa problema sa illegal drugs, alam mo kung sino ang involve at kung sino ang aarestohin,” noted Garbo. “Focus on your priorities,” Garbo urged Agustin, adding that the Bohol PNP chief should not veer away from what is most important to accomplish.

The top PNP chief also urged Agustin, known for his reserved demeanor, “not to be shy” when he deals with the Boholano community. But according to a Camp Dagohoy insider, Agustin's silence “is actually an important asset in the campaign against criminalities in Bohol,” noting that the BPPO chief's quietness would shield his principles and integrity from being compromised in the name of “friendship.” Meanwhile, following Agustin's presentation, one of the six from Central Visayas, wherein BPPO was assessed and graded by the panel members, Garbo has some words of advice to his former basketball teammate. Being aware of Agustin's broad intelligence work background, Agustin advised the Bohol PNP director to come out from his “intelligence cocoon” and try to immerse with local government officials and the Boholano community members. “Mababait ang mga Boholano. They are very intelligent and smart people,” Garbo reminded Agustin, “you will learn a lot from them.”

Admitting he is a fan of the Boholano people on the basis of their character, intelligence, resilience in the face of calamity, and sociability, Garbo has asked Agustin to enhance public safety and keep the tourists safe all the time. On hindsight, Garbo pointed out that there is a need to address the increasing incidents of vehicular accidents in Bohol. “I am a firm believer of the Boholanos,” Garbo said. “Mas magaling ang mga Boholanos.” Turning to members of the Provincial Advisory Council, represented by former regional Napolcom director Atty. Bernie Calibo, Mike Ortega Ligalig, and retired Police Inspector Alberto “Boy” Pilayre, Garbo has asked the council members to “help bridge the gap between the police and the Boholano community.” “If there are dysfunctions in the police, you help them unite each other,” Garbo told the three council members. After the PGS presentation, Agustin was commended by the panel members – composed of Garbo, Napolcom Commissioner Dr. Constancia P. De Guzman, Police Senior Superintendent Edward Carranza, Police Senior Superintendent Conrado Serrano, Police Senior Superintendent Noel Baraceros, and Regional Advisory Council chairperson Prudencio Gesta – for unveiling an honest-to-goodness plan for Bohol.

Baraceros had pointed out that Agustin was realistic in presenting the limited financial resources the Bohol PNP is facing today. Meanwhile, composing the BPPO's Technical Working Group who prepared the PGS are PSupt Gil Del Prado (chairperson); PSupt Jeffrey Caballes (vice-chairperson); PSupt Joie Pacito Yape Jr (PCRB chief); PSupt Lorenzo Batuan (POPB chief); PCInsp Francisco Villanueva (admin/HRDD chief); PCInsp Alvin Futalan (PIB); PInsp David Niluag (PIDMB chief); SPO4 Bienvenido Barrios (supply PNCO); SPO4 Necito Dangoy (command chief clerk); and NUP Ma Antonette Josol. Composing the Provincial Police Strategy Management Unit are Del Prado, Batuan, Police Senior Inspector Roland Desiree Lavisto, Yape, SPO3 Camilo Estrera Jr, PO3 Phoebe Loquellano, SPO4 Geronimo Conarco, and SPO1 Jennifer Atanacio. On the other hand, the Tagbilaran Police Station, under PSupt Jovito Atanacio, had also successfully presented its PGS at the regional PNP headquarters in Cebu last Friday.