Ninety-seven suspected drug dealers and dependents have surrendered to the National Capital Region Police Office following the resumption of the government’s anti-drug campaign dubbed “Operation Tokhang.”
There were no reported injuries or deaths during the relaunch of the anti-drug operation, according to the NCRPO.
“This is a proof that we are doing our job correctly. The positive feedback from the people will be our ultimate reward,” said NCRPO chief Oscar Albayalde.
The NCRPO conducted Tokhang in all community and villages in Metro Manila to promote awareness on illegal drugs and to convince suspected illegal drug personalities to submit themselves to the authorities.
Tokhang (toktok-hangyo or knock and plead) mandates police station commanders to ask the barangay captains to submit a list of residents known to be into illegal drugs, including pushers, dealers, users and couriers.
Albayalde said his men assigned to conduct the operation are working hard to appeal to suspected drug personalities to surrender and to commit not to engage with illegal drugs activities anymore.
He said in one week operation, the “tokhangers” in coordination with community and religious leaders, and human rights advocates have conducted 392 house visits and have persuaded 97 drug personalities to surrender.
Of the 392 house visitation, 212 suspected dealers and dependents listed in the watch list cannot be located while 75 others have either transferred to other provinces, surrendered, arrested and in jail.
Albayalde assured that the operation will continue in line with the directives and guidance of PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa.
He reiterated his order to operatives to strictly follow the guidelines set for tokhang operations. Otherwise they will be sanctioned accordingly.
For his part, Dela Rosa said the police would avoid the mistakes of its earlier anti-drug operations.
“Let me assure the Filipino people that the PNP has learned its lessons, and learned it well. Mistakes of the past will no longer be repeated. We will go out and win this war,” he said.
Last year, the NCRPO was awarded for the accomplishments it made in connection with the government’s anti-crime campaign, especially the crackdown on drug trade and its use in Metro Manila.
Albayalde received the Special Unit Awards on the Accounting of Illegal Drugs Personnel during the 116th Police Service Anniversary at Camp Crame, Quezon City last Aug. 9.
The award was given in recognition to the relentless efforts of the Team NCRPO in accordance to the marching order of President Rodrigo Duterte to wage war against illegal drugs and criminality.
In 2017, a total of 228,395 suspected drug personalities surrendered to the police.