PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa intends to bring Oplan Tokhang to schools,
various work places like offices and factories, and television networks
to reinvigorate the government’s war against illegal drugs.
Speaking at the Manila Overseas Press Club forum at the Manila Golf Club in Makati last Tuesday, Dela Rosa noted that the number of drug suspects who have surrendered to authorities has plateaued to just more than 700,000 the past four months, way below their target estimate of 1.8 million.
Latest data from the PNP showed there were 751,703 drug users and pushers who surrendered from July 1 to October 26.
“Nakita naming pagdating sa 600,000 plus, nag-plateau. Ini-encourage namin sila (drug suspects), reinvigorate ang campaign, umakyat sa 700,000 plus. Sa 700,000 plus, bumagal na naman,” Dela Rosa said.
“So para ma-cover natin lahat, nag-decide kami na pasukin ‘yung ibang sectors of society. I-tokhang natin that way baka aabot tayo, ‘yung ating target na 1.8 million,” he added.
Under Dela Rosa, the PNP introduced Oplan Tokhang or Toktok Hangyo (knock and convince drug suspects to surrender) to convince drug suspects to give up their illegal activities. Oplan Tokhang has been practiced in Davao City.
Under Oplan Tokhang, police personnel visited 2,626,126 houses from July 1 up to October 26, which led to the surrender of 54,702 pushers and 697,001 users for a total of 751,703.
PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the reinvigorated Oplan Tokhang will be implemented soonest.
“We will go to areas na kailangan para abutin sila. Sa schools, we will shield students from drug use… We will coordinate with school officials para i-educate ang mga students, whether college students or high school, at pakiki-usapan naming sila na tumigil sa paggamit ng illegal drugs,” Carlos said, adding: “We will follow the principle of due process, respect the rights of everyone, and follow the rule of law.”
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said she supports the expansion of Oplan Tokhang to include schools but added that police and military personnel should coordinate with school heads before entering campuses and ensure that the rights of the students are not violated.
Briones added that as early as last May, President Duterte had instructed her to include drug awareness in Grade 4 curriculum.
She also said the department needs a big budget to weed out those involved in illegal drugs in the academe.
“We have 724,000 teachers at 25 million learners. Hindi mo masasabi na lahat ay inosente,” she said.
Personnel and trainees of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will undergo mandatory random drug testing this month.
Although drug testing is required for pre-employment, TESDA director general Guiling Mamondiong said the random drug test aims to ensure that all TESDA offices are drug-free.
Barangay Chief Nabbed in Buy-Bust
Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a barangay
chairman after he sold shabu to an undercover cop in Malasiqui,
Pangasinan last Monday.
Jeoffrey Tacio, PDEA region 1 chief, identified the suspect as Boyet Geronimo, chairman of Barangay Potiocan.
Tacio said his men, with the help of local police units, conducted a buy-bust operation against Geronimo and collared him as he handed a plastic sachet of shabu to their poseur-buyer.
Seized from Geronimo was 0.30 grams of shabu worth P1,500 and a Kawasaki motorcycle.
Senators yesterday said President Duterte does not have to appeal for Congress’ assistance in his war against drug since lawmakers have long been committed to help solve the drug menace.
“Calling the members of both houses of Congress to assist is long in coming, but it’s never too late. I’m thankful that he (Duterte) acknowledges that he can’t do it alone and needs our assistance to defeat the drug menace,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in a text message.
Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said he has filed several bills that will give more teeth to laws aimed at stamping out illegal drugs.
Among the bills that he has filed are measures amending the anti-wiretapping law, restoring the death penalty for illegal drugs offenses, and enhancing the authority of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
“He has my unequivocal support in the fight against illegal drugs even without being asked, like every peace loving Filipino should,” Lacson said.
Sen. Sonny Angara said legislative and executive branches should work in hand to approach the problem “holistically.”
“It is a peace and order problem but also a public health problem and needs to be approached that way. Also, funding will be needed for rehabilitation and other solutions so working with both houses of Congress is ideal,” Angara said.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Minority Leader Ralph Recto also welcomed Duterte’s move to reach out to Congress.
Sotto said there is a need to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council to discuss how to approach the problem.
The post PNP to Bring Oplan Tokhang to Schools appeared first on Malaya.
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