COTABATO CITY — Police authorities here assured the public of a bloodless police anti-drug campaign and suspects will remain alive unless they provoke law enforcers.
Sr. Supt. Rolly Octavio, city police director, said “Oplan Tokhang” (knock-appeal) campaign will be transparent and will always ensure human rights are protected.
Speaking to reporters, Octavio said under the PNP guidelines on “Tokhang” clearly states that police officers wiĺl knock on the illegal drug suspects’ house and appeal to them to voluntarily surrender and prove their innocence in court.
Under the PNP Oplan Tokhang guidelines, Octavio said the police will counter check, double check and validate whether a drug suspect is indeed into illegal drugs before Tokhang is implemented.
“When in doubt, revalidation is conducted or no Tokhang will be carried out,” he stressed. “I would like to assure you the rights of suspects are our paramount concern.”
“We will always give the suspect the opportunity to reform and remain alive,” he added.
However, he said if the suspects fire their guns during Oplan Tokhang, “that is another story.”
Last year, more than 700 drug personalities here were arrested and charged, while those who resisted violently got killed during police anti-drug operations. (PNA)
