Celebrities next on ‘Tokhang’ list — Dela Rosa

PNP CHIEF Ronald dela Rosa

Next “Tokhang” targets? Celebrities.

Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said that no special treatment would be given to celebrities and TV personalities in the government’s crackdown on drugs.

Dela Rosa, in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, said the police would soon conduct “Oplan Tokhang” on celebrities involved in drugs, visit them in their houses and in some TV stations to ask them to change their ways.

Dela Rosa even invited the media to join the police during their “Tokhang” operation on celebrities.

READ: ‘Drug supplier to stars,’ cohort killed; Robin Padilla’s cousin, 2 nabbed in Laguna

“Ito-Tokhang natin, sama kayo? Katukin natin sa kani-kanyang bahay, kani-kanyang TV station,” he said, adding, “Sabihin na ‘Surrender na kayo kasi identified kayo na user.’”

The PNP chief explained, “Tinokhang nga natin ‘yung mga high-end subsdivisions dyan, sila pa na public figure. They should be open to the public.”

But the police chief, who just arrived from a week-long anti-drug and counter-terrorism conference in Colombia, said he had yet to ask President Duterte for the list containing the names of actors, actresses and TV personalities with drug links.

READ: Robin Padilla’s appeal to Du30: Don’t reveal drug users in show biz

Over the weekend, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chair and incoming Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair Martin Diño revealed that there are about 50 celebrities on the President’s drug list.

Of the 50, 10 are suspected drug pushers while others were known users of party drugs. CBB/rga