PNP readies new Oplan Tokhang guidelines

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is drafting guidelines on the proper conduct of Oplan Tokhang (knock and plead), which is due for revival.

PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa said the national oversight committee on illegal drugs was fine-tuning the guidelines to remove “mistakes” in the previous conduct of Oplan Tokhang.

Dela Rosa pointed out that one mistake in the conduct of Oplan Tokhang was the manner by which rogue police barged into homes of drug suspects and terrorized everyone inside.

He added that there were even times when rogue police include innocent people under Oplan Tokhang.

“Those errors we will rectify. We will fine-tune [the guidelines] so we get rid of those mistakes,” he said. —Jeannette I. Andrade