Oplan Tokhang relaunch should always show compassion — DILG
Published Feb 5, 2018 11:58 am
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) maintained that the relaunch of “Oplan Tokhaang’’ should at all times show compassion in the police commitment to stamp out illegal drugs.
In showing compassion, DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Año explained that the police officers should reach out to the homes and communities of known drug dependents in the most respectful and humane manner.
However, the DILG noted that maximum tolerance will be the standard with force being the last resort in instances where the lives of the law enforcers are put to risk.
Año is encouraged by the generally peaceful implementation of Oplan Tokhang 2 across the country but warned that the DILG will keep a close eye on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure its adherence to the rule of law and the new operational guidelines in anti-illegal drugs operations.
A police officer talks to a drug suspect in Tondo, Manila during the relaunch of 'Oplan Tokhang' last week. (Ali Vicoy/ Manila Bulletin file photo)
“I am reminding our police officers to ensure that your fellow policemen are complying with the new guidelines. I sternly warn against arbitrary and self-serving interpretation of the new policy,” Año said.
“This is the PNP’s opportunity to show the public what Oplan Tokhang is and what it is not. It is a way of appealing to families by first knocking on their doors and asking them to surrender any involvement in drug use or supply. It is not a coercive and abusive operation,” he added.
He clarified that the relaunch of Tokhang is not only against small-time drug pushers but also against drug syndicates who continue to destroy society with their illegal trade.
"We will apply the full force of the law and all appropriate actions against these drug syndicates and criminal groups to include their protectors and supporters specially government officials and employees who are unfortunately involved in illicit activities," he said.
The DILG chief reiterated his call that double salary means double time in shaping up as an organization.
“I am demanding accountability from our police officers. With the salary increase, they should shape up or ship out. The PNP organization has no room for ingrate scalawags,” Año noted.
Año also encouraged the public to come forward and not be afraid should there be abuses by policemen in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations.
“Do not be afraid to speak or come forward should there be abuses by the police in the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations. There’s the PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force. But if you do not want to report to the PNP, you can report to the DILG field offices, Napolcom, or to the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) in your locality,” he ended.
A police officer talks to a drug suspect in Tondo, Manila during the relaunch of 'Oplan Tokhang' last week. (Ali Vicoy/ Manila Bulletin file photo)
“I am reminding our police officers to ensure that your fellow policemen are complying with the new guidelines. I sternly warn against arbitrary and self-serving interpretation of the new policy,” Año said.
“This is the PNP’s opportunity to show the public what Oplan Tokhang is and what it is not. It is a way of appealing to families by first knocking on their doors and asking them to surrender any involvement in drug use or supply. It is not a coercive and abusive operation,” he added.
He clarified that the relaunch of Tokhang is not only against small-time drug pushers but also against drug syndicates who continue to destroy society with their illegal trade.
"We will apply the full force of the law and all appropriate actions against these drug syndicates and criminal groups to include their protectors and supporters specially government officials and employees who are unfortunately involved in illicit activities," he said.
The DILG chief reiterated his call that double salary means double time in shaping up as an organization.
“I am demanding accountability from our police officers. With the salary increase, they should shape up or ship out. The PNP organization has no room for ingrate scalawags,” Año noted.
Año also encouraged the public to come forward and not be afraid should there be abuses by policemen in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations.
“Do not be afraid to speak or come forward should there be abuses by the police in the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations. There’s the PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force. But if you do not want to report to the PNP, you can report to the DILG field offices, Napolcom, or to the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) in your locality,” he ended.