Palace hopes PNP learned from past ‘experience’ as Tokhang is relaunched

Malacañang is hopeful that the Philippine National Police has learned from its past "experience" as it relaunches its anti-drug "Tokhang" operation.

"[W]e are hoping that they have learned from their past experience. The PNP has said they want this Tokhang operation to be less bloody. We are hoping it will be and we welcome the statement by the PNP as reaffirming their commitment to the rule of law," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a briefing at the Palace.

Roque also hopes that the Tokhang program will be less controversial this time, "because controversy will only blur the real intentions behind the Tokhang which is really the fight against dangerous drugs."

Roque said that President Rodrigo Duterte did not give any instructions to the police about the resumption of the campaign.

"Wala naman pong instructions, voluntary naman pong ginawa itong mga bagong guidelines ng PNP. And of course, they are now conducting Tokhang also with the involvement of the PDEA that is now… or that has retained the lead in the implementation of the Dangerous Drugs Law," he said, referring to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Before the relaunch on Monday, the PNP released an eight-page supplemental operational guideline for the Tokhang campaign that said teams are required to be in proper PNP uniform and must be led by a police commissioned officer. It also said that Tokhang operations will only be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The use of body cameras and other gadgets during anti-illegal drug operations is only encouraged and not required. — BM, GMA News