PNP all set for Tokhang’s return today
Banking on the principle of command responsibility, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will impose a “one-strike policy” on its officers who would violate the new rules and regulations on “Oplan Tokhang” (knock and plead) which is set to resume today.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said that improper conduct of Tokhang operations shall be a ground for the immediate relief and filing of appropriate charges against the “Tokhangers” or cops who were given orientation for the new policies.
Under the operational guidelines, a team composed of four members led by the deputy chief of operations shall conduct the operation from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dela Rosa said this is to erase the stigma that Tokhang, which previously allowed night operations, is about killing drug suspects. He stressed that today, the operation intends to encourage them to turn their backs on illegal drugs.
Tokhangers are also mandated to wear proper uniform when conducting operations. Wearing body cameras to document the operation is only encouraged as the purchase of the gadgets for all PNP officers has yet to be finished.
Any Tokhangers who would violate the rules and regulations will immediately be relieved along with his or her immediate supervisor, Dela Rosa said.
“The precinct commander shall be relieved if a PNP Tokhang team member under his/her jurisdiction failed to properly conduct Tokhang activities,” part of the guideline stated.
Moreover, the chief of police (COP) will also be relieved “if two or more precinct commanders under his/her jurisdiction violated the proper conduct of Tokhang activities.”
Likewise, a provincial director (PD) will also suffer the same fate if two or more of his/her Chiefs of Police are relieved due to negligence.
Lastly, the regional director (RD) will also be relieved if two or more provincial directors or city directors under him/her are relieved because of Tokhangrelated issues.
Relatedly, about 200 Tokhangers were given orientation yesterday by the Southern Police District (SPD) in their headquarters in Taguig City.