Cordillera authorities eye 'Tokhang' vs. 'left-leaning personalities'

The Cordillera Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC-CAR) has approved a resolution allowing the conduct of “Oplan Tokhang” against “left-leaning personalities” in the government and media, among other entities.

The RLECC-CAR said in a resolution that Tokhang will be used “to convince left-leaning personalities to return to the folds of the government and dissuade them from further supporting the Marxist-Maoist inspired rebellion, and its known front organizations.”

Oplan Tokhang is a police knock-and-plead strategy aimed at convincing drug personalities to stop using illegal drugs. It has long been the subject of controversy with administration critics linking it to the killing of drug suspects in police operations -- a number that has reached thousands since 2016.

Under the RLECC-CAR’s campaign, authorities will visit the homes of supposed left-leaning personalities to “dissuade” them from supporting communist or rebel groups.

To address concerns on possible human rights violations, the committee also said law enforcers will team up with the church, non-government organizations, and barangay officials for the campaign.

“In furtherance of one of the priority thrusts of the current administration in addressing the insurgency problem in the country, a concerted effort amongst all the member agencies of RLECC and stakeholders is needed to address the insurgency problem in the region,” it said.

CHR withdraws signature

On Thursday, however, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Cordillera Director Romel Daguimol said he withdrew his signature from the RLECC-CAR resolution.

“Insurgency must be addressed, but it must be done with human rights at its core,” he said in a statement.

“We continue to condemn terrorism, as well as the use of armed struggle to topple the government. But we continue to stand that activism is not a crime. Our people should be free to express legitimate dissent and grievances for the government to act on,” he added.

Daguimol said the resolution was “inconsistent” with the CHR’s official position.

“As an independent national human rights institution, it is best that CHR maintains its observer status in this and similar committees,” he said.  —KBK, GMA News