By Martin A. Sadongdong
The Philippine National Police revealed yesterday that “Oplan: Tokhang” (knock and plead) continues to be bloodless and recorded 4,237 drug suspects who have surrendered since it was relaunched earlier this year.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, PNP spokesperson, citing data from the PNP Directorate for Operations, said the 4,200 drug suspects surrendered in 7,159 Tokhang activities nationwide from Jan. 29 to March 5.
He said that the Central Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO 7) led with the most number of Tokhang activities with 1,224 and 476 drug surrenderers,
followed by the Western Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO 6) with 802 activities and 370 drug surrenderers.
The latest Tokhang, which is already the third version of the government’s “soft approach” in dealing with drug suspects, proved to be more efficient compared to its two previous versions as it continues to attract more surrenderers with no casualties recorded yet, Bulalacao said.
On the other hand, 106 drug personalities died while 10,787 others were arrested in other anti-illegal drugs operations under “Oplan: Double Barrel Reloaded” from Dec. 5, 2017 to March 5.
The slain drug suspects, Bulalacao reiterated, violently resisted arrested.
Bulalacao said 12,287 names were included in the validated drugs watch list of the PNP and will be the subject of Tokhang operations.
With the expected arrival of body-worn cameras for “Tokhangers” in June or July this year as part of the PNP’s intensified war on drugs, Bulalacao said that the number of surrenderers and arrested suspects are expected to rise.
