Ejercito reminds cops: Follow rules during drug war ops

Sen. JV Ejercito / Photo from Sen. JV Ejercito’s Facebook account

“The end does not justify the means.”

This is what every policemen should bear in mind, thus, said Senator JV Ejercito following the resumption of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “Oplan Tokhang” (knock and plead) last Monday.

“I am sure that everybody agrees and supports the campaign against illegal drugs. But the good intentions of ‘Tokhang’ can and will never justify even a single unnecessary killing or death; it’s totally unacceptable and inexcusable,” Ejercito stressed.

While he welcomed the resumption and the new guidelines of the anti-illegal drugs operation, the senator said he hopes PNP personnel would follow these rules diligently.

Ejercito also urged people to be vigilant against possible abuses and to cooperate with authorities.

“I call on our people not just to be vigilant against abuses, but they should also cooperate with our policemen because the success of this campaign will save their loved ones, especially their children, from the scourge of illegal drugs,” he said.

“I hope that this time around, there will be no more Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz, and Reynaldo ‘Kulot’ de Guzman. Protection of and respect for human rights should be upheld at all times,” he added.

Under the new guidelines of the new Oplan Tokhang, police are required to use body cameras during operations, while the conduct of visiting the homes of drug suspects are only allowed on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

However, drug raids can still be conducted at night, provided police operatives wear body cameras, the guidelines said. /jpv

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