Makati gathers ‘Tokhang’ surrenderers (or at least half of them)

VOWING TO CHANGE. Makati City residents compelled to see the police under Oplan Tokhang are made to take the “Oath of Reformation” on Thursday.

The police expected about a thousand, but only half of that number showed up when the Makati City government gathered for the first time the residents who had surrendered under the Oplan Tokhang campaign.

Upon arrival, the compliant ones were made to wear light-blue T-shirts with “Project Tokhang” printed on the back—their souvenir for being branded drug users or pushers (despite the absence of formal complaints) and a subtle reminder that authorities will now be watching them from here on out.

They included 64-four-year-old Zenaida Monton, who admitted being “a ‘shabu’ user for a year” but was clueless as to what exactly would happen to her after presenting herself earlier to officials in Barangay Pitogo and now to the police.

“We heard the news about the drug users and pushers being killed, so we want to start life anew,” said the grandmother of five, adding that she turned to drugs because she was then dealing with many problems. “I just decided to surrender.”

The police later took Monton’s photos and fingerprints—and that of about 500 others who trooped to Makati Coliseum for the morning program on Thursday.

According to Senior Insp. Anthony Bagsik, head of an antidrug task group of the Makati police, the overall figures culled from the city’s 26 barangays put the number of surrenderers at 1,167.

(The Makati police earlier said they had been unable to take Tokhang to the city’s upscale subdivisions after receiving “certifications” from their village officials that there were no drug suspects among their residents.)

Bagsik surmised that many were not able to make it on Thursday because they were “busy at work or had other responsibilities to attend to.”

Rushing back to provinces

Senior Insp. Bernardo Bacalso of Precinct 3 offered another explanation, saying some surrenderers in his area had rushed back to their home provinces lest they “end up dead.” Hundreds of drug suspects have been killed in police operations or vigilante attacks under the 7-week-old Duterte administration.

The Inquirer found out, however, that a number of attendees were not even supposed to be there.

“We were just driving our pedicabs when some policemen called and told us to go here so there will be more participants,” said one man in the audience who asked not to be named.

Bagsik, however, clarified that those who had yet to surrender under Oplan Tokhang were “invited” to do so at the event.

Despite the lower-than-expected turnout, Makati Mayor Abby Binay administered the Panunumpa ng Pagbabago—“Oath of Reformation”—to those present.

The oath, written in Filipino, states that the surrenderers voluntarily presented themselves to the police, that they condemn illegal drugs, and that they will not allow themselves to fall victim to the drug menace.

In support of this declaration, the oath-takers also swear not to be involved in the drug trade and that they will “help the authorities” in the government’s antidrug program.

“I’m signing this statement on the condition that this won’t be used against me in any court, agency or office,” it read.

In her remarks, Binay assured the surrenderers that “the city government is willing to give you the needed support to help you get back on your feet and become responsible members of society. In turn, we expect you to make good on your promise. Your loved ones expect nothing less.”