PNP: 2,137 surrendered, 65 dead since Oplan Tokhang revival in January

Some 2,137 individuals nationwide have surrendered while 65 have been killed since the reactivation of the anti-drug campaign "Oplan Tokhang" on January 29, the Philippine National Police said.

In a statement on Thursday, the PNP said that the 2,137 surrendered in the period from January 29 to February 14.

Of these, 730 came from Police Regional Office 10, and 430 from the National Capital Region Police Office.

They join the 7,103 individuals arrested from 4,613 operations conducted from December 5, 2017 to February 14, 2018 under the police's intensified anti-illegal drug campaign.

Authorities also noted that 65 died in police operations since the reactivation of Oplan Tokhang.

PNP Director General Ronald Bato Dela Rosa noted that Tokhang will be more active in the coming days but promised less bloodshed.

Dela Rosa stated earlier in February that the police cannot guarantee completely bloodless anti-drug operations, but that they will modify the campaign to reduce abuses by policemen.

The police chief reminded Tokhang teams to be in proper PNP uniform at all times and to only conduct operations led by a police commissioned officer from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Dela Rosa emphasized that Oplan Tokhang is conducted in support of Presidential Memorandum Order No. 17.  — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News