Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — Anti-drug intelligence gathering operations at nighttime and on weekends will no longer happen, according to new supplemental operational guidelines of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP spokesperson CSupt. Dionardo Carlos on Wednesday said the memorandum signed by PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa will be cascaded to all field offices.

Carlos said according to the "Oplan Tokhang" guidelines, operations must be conducted only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

He said, however, operations may exceed this period if necessary.

"As much as possible, ito ay magawa habang may araw...Kung nagsimula ka nang maaga, pero hindi mo naman talaga matapos nang alas singko, wag naman pong abutin nang gabing-gabi," he said.

[Translation: As much as possible, it should be done during daytime...But if you start early and you can't finish by 5 p.m., just don't let the operation reach until late night.]

Carlos said the guidelines would discourage questionable operations of scalawags during late night or early morning.

He added this will promote transparency and safety both for the suspects and the so-called Tokhangers, or police officers involved in operations.

"Tanggalin na natin yung duda sa gabi, kasi limited yung view kapag night. Kapag daytime, it's safer for the Tokhangers," Carlos said.

[Translation: Let's remove doubts during the nighttime, because there's limited view. During daytime, it's safer for the Tokhangers.]

Oplan Tokhang, which comes from the Cebuano words "Toktok" and "Hangyo" meaning "knock" and "plead," is an intelligence-driven campaign in the Duterte administration's war against drugs.

Carlos added that Tokhangers are required to wear uniforms during operations, and the police must promote a less bloody drug war.

"The intention of Tokhang ay ang maabot yung kilalang drug personality sa mga komunidad at mabigyan ng pagkakataon na sila'y makapagbago," he said.

[Translation: The intention of Tokhang is to reach the known drug personalities in the community and be given the chance to change.]

The guidelines also said body cameras must be used when available to record the operations. This provision was also included in the PNP's supplemental operational guidelines for anti-illegal drug operations.

The PNP was heavily criticized for alleged abuses during anti-drug operations, including the killing of teenagers Kian Delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to take over the drug war, but eventually allowed the police to once again conduct operations.

Official records state that less than 4,000 drug suspects were killed in legitimate police operations: 34 by PDEA agents and 3,933 by the police.