PNP: Public has now better perception of Tokhang

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) was elated on the public’s better perception of the Oplan Tokhang particularly that it is no longer being misinterpreted and is being linked to deaths of drugs suspects during police anti-illegal drugs operations.

“Na-observe natin na medyo kakaunti na ‘yung gumagamit ng word na tokhang kapag nire-refer nila sa police operation hindi gaya dati kapag may na-report na namatay dahil sa engkwentro ang sasabihin nila na-tokhang so ngayon medyo nabawasan na mga ganung pagkakataon,” said PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao.

The Oplan Tokhang, which is the visitation of drug personalities in order to encourage them to stop their illegal drugs involvement and instead avail the government’s recovery program originated during PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa’s stint as the Davao City police office chief.

It was then replicated nationwide when President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016 and appointed Dela Rosa as the chief PNP who will lead the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa, however, admitted that the true spirit of the Oplan Tokhang was destroyed by the abusive cops who used it for corruption.

In order to brick back its true meaning, the PNP had revised and made its operational plan more specific before it was relaunched on January.

Among the salient points in its operational guidelines is that it should be done during daytime — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during weekdays only and that cops who are alleged to be involved in