17.1k SHARES 145 VIEWS Share Tweet Google Whatsapp Pinterest Digg Linkedin Reddit Stumbleupon Buffer Pocket

More than 500,000 suspected drug pushers and dependents in the country surrendered to police authorities while almost 5,000 people were arrested from July 1 to Aug. 2 under the campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to wipe out illegal drugs and criminality dubbed as ‘Oplan Tokhang’.

Under ‘Oplan Tokhang’, station commanders will ask barangay (villages) captains to submit a list of residents who are into illegal drugs, whether these pushers, dealers, users and couriers.

The police intelligence unit will then verify the report and check if these persons are indeed involved in drugs as there are instances where barangay captains themselves are behind the illegal drug trade while some list down names of their rivals.

During the said period, the PNP have knocked 223,847 houses of suspected drug personalities that resulted to the surrender of 565,806 drug suspects, implementation of 427 search warrants and arrest of another 5,418 suspects.

In addition, PNP said 402 suspects were killed in various anti-drug operations.

Meanwhile, the PNP is keeping tab of the performance of its line units in the implementation of ‘Project Double Barrel’ against illegal drugs.

According to PNP spokesperson Sr. Supt. Dionardo Carlos, the PNP Oversight Committee on Project Double Barrel held a conference-workshop in Camp Crame among Deputy Regional Directors for Operation (DRDO) and Chiefs of Regional Operations and Plans Divisions (ROPD) to conduct an initial assessment of Project Double Barrel by the Police Regional Offices (PROs).

He said the PNP Oversight Committee reviewed the performance of each Police Regional Office based on Project Double Barrel Weekly Monitoring Reports since July 1. This indicates the number of houses visited; pushers and users who surrendered; drug personalities killed and arrested; implementation Search Warrants and Warrants of Arrest; and drug interdiction operations conducted.

Carlos also said that all Police Regional Offices were directed to constitute and convene their respective Regional Oversight Committees chaired by the Regional Director that will assess and evaluate the anti-drugs campaign of the subordinate Police Provincial Offices and Police Stations under its jurisdiction.

These Regional Oversight Committees shall conduct similar assessment and evaluation of the lower units with particular emphasis on the categorization of Cities/Municipalities in terms of drug affectation; documentation of arrested/ surrendered pushers and users; internal cleansing efforts; Top 20 watchlist of drug personalities killed or arrested; local government executives and officials who are uncooperative to the campaign against illegal drugs; and budgetary requirements.

The PNP may recommend to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and DILG the suspension of deputation of local chief executives who are uncooperative in the anti-drugs campaign, or who fail to exercise their authority to lead the anti-drugs drive ion their localities, Carlos noted.