PNP plans to use Tokhang against barangay officials in drug list

May 2, 2018

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is planning to subject barangay officials in the narco list  revealed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last Monday under Oplan Tokhang.

“That's one option. We can visit them since they are in the watchlist,” Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde said Wednesday in an ambush interview with reporters in Mandaluyong City.

Under Tokhang, which means knock and plead in Cebuano, police officers visit the homes of drug suspects, ask them to stop their illegal activities and reform.

Albayalde said the 207 barangay officials in the narco list are not exempted from Tokhang operations.

“We have been doing that so what makes them so special even if they are elected officials?,” he said. “There are no sacred cows here, whether you are an elected official or not.

Barangay officials who refuse to cooperate will be subject to case buildup.

“We gather evidence and if its really positive, then we can always apply a search warrant against them,” said Albayalde. DMS