Cops to conduct Tokhang in schools, BPOs, offices

CEBU, Philippines - The Oplan Tokhang of the police will now be extended to schools, business process outsourcing companies, ports, terminals and private and public offices.

Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, director of Police Regional Office-7, said during a conference with Philippine National Police Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa that they discussed the Oplan Tokhang and how it can be extended to more places apart from houses, subdivisions, condominiums, bars and hotels.

"… lahat kasama sa expanded and extended version sa Oplan Double Barrel that includes schools, malls, market, BPOs," he said.

Taliño clarified though that before conducting the Oplan Tokhang in these areas, police stations will coordinate first with the different establishments, offices and organizations to ask for their permission.

"Kailangan may initial coordination. First kailangan may pirmiso before entering para maganda ang dialogue na i-conduct," he said, adding it's the police stations that will do the prioritization of the high-valued targets and will determine what establishments will be included in the Oplan Tokhang operation.

In some other areas in the country, like in Makati and Taguig in Manila, police have included high-end clubs and subdivisions in the Oplan Tokhang. 

Further, due to the PNP's intensified drive against illegal drugs, petty crimes like theft and robbery has reportedly decreased in the whole region-7.

In the first quarter of 2016, there were 2,958 cases of theft and robbery while in the second quarter there were 2,283 cases. As Oplan Tokhang operations started, the number went down to 2,167 cases in the third quarter.

Taliño earlier said that petty crimes have decreased because illegal drugs are the mother of all crimes. (FREEMAN)