Police launch “Oplan Pokemon”

CEBU, Philippines - Gotta catch 'em all!

This phrase from the famous Pokemon GO mobile game has now become the police's slogan in the ongoing crusade against illegal drugs.

 Cebu City Police Office yesterday marked its first operation under "Oplan Pokemon" with a convoy of patrol cars and hearse. The convoy traversed Barangays Suba and Hipodromo while a choir of police officers sang anti-drug jingles, one of which was made to the tune of Yoyoy Villame's popular novelty song, Philippine Geography.

Police Superintendent Cheryl Boniao, of the Police Community Relations, explained that the activity serves as an avenue of cooperation between the police and the community as well as a call for drug suspects to change.

"Unta mobalik sila sa sabakan sa gobyerno," she said.

She added that they have to tag along funeral cars as warning to drug suspects that would end up in the hearse anytime soon if they continue their illegal activities.

"Ang tawo nga mogamit og drugas, ang ilang padulngan kamatayon gyud kay makaapekto man na sa ilang health. During operations sab, kun mosukol sila, protektahan man gyud sa atong mga polis ilang kaugalingon," she said.

The two funeral vehicles used during the operation were lent to the police for free.

Boniao said they came up with the Oplan Pokemon to jive with the Pokemon GO craze. She explained that it has similar concept to that of Pokemon where they would find and catch drug suspects instead of Pokemon species.

The activity is also part of the Oplan TokHang, in which police knock on the door of the drug suspects and ask them to cease from their illegal activities.

The activity will make another wave today at Cebu South Bus Terminal and Cebu City ports. It will also cover the other barangays of Cebu City.

Apart from CCPO, police stations in Cebu City, and Special Weapons and Tactics team also joined the activity. (FREEMAN)