‘Tokhang,’ however, involves persuading drug suspects to mend their ways and for them to register with the police force for monitoring.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) issued the rebuttal to anti-drugs czarina Vice President Leni Robredo when she raised the issue of “state-sponsored killings” that should be stopped in the conduct of the war on drugs.

PNP spokesman PBrig. Gen. Bernard Banac said arbitrary killings of drug suspects are not part of its policy in carrying out Oplan “Tokhang,” which is the program that puts to life the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs.

In a statement prior to the convening of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), Robredo called for an end to what she termed as “senseless killings” as she particularly cited Oplan “Tokhang,” which she claimed has gained notoriety as “a war against the poor.”

Robredo made the appeal when she met with member agencies of the ICAD, which she co-chairs with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino.

“Tokhang,” however, involves persuading drug suspects to mend their ways and for them to register with the police force for monitoring.

“It is not the policy of the PNP to have an anti-drug campaign where there should be deaths. As much as possible, we are very cautious in our operations so that there will be no injuries nor fatalities,” Banac stressed.

“However, we’ve seen in the past that there were suspects who resisted arrest. We saw how the suspects fought (with the operatives),” he added.

With Robredo now onboard the anti-illegal drugs drive of the government, Banac said the PNP is open to hear any suggestion the VP would voice out.

“We are expressing our support to ICAD co-chair, VP Robredo. The public can be assured that the PNP will be giving its full support and cooperation,” he stated.

Robredo previously suggested the scrapping of Oplan “Tokhang.” She, however, somewhat softened on her stance following the ICAD meeting and said she would first take a closer look “at the conflicting numbers on the drug war,” particularly on Filipinos said to be hooked on illegal drugs.

“The estimates, the numbers from the DDB (Dangerous Drugs Boards) from 2016 was 1.8 (million). Now, the working number is four million. Again, that’s an estimate. We all know before that the estimate was seven to eight million. But as far as the ICAD is concerned, the figure being used now is four million,” Robredo said on Friday.

She also vowed to talk to law enforcement agencies such as the PDEA and the PNP “to be better informed on what is happening on the ground.”

The PNP’s Civil Security Group (CSG) also implemented another round of housecleaning, this time with the axing of 40 officers and non-uniformed personnel over corruption allegations.

CSG chief PMaj. Gen. Roberto Fajardo said the dismissal orders took effect last 8 November.

“This was another unanticipated revamp in the CSG, and this time it was among the rank-and-file,” Fajardo told reporters.

“This is because of reports of malpractices and corruption, including under-the-table transactions and evident delaying in the processing of papers,” he added.

Fajardo lamented how the dismissed personnel still continued with their erring ways despite the cleansing he did a couple of weeks back where 27 senior officers from the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) and Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOCIA) were kicked out for underperformance and alleged corrupt practices.

“From information we gathered, that despite the first revamp, there were still complaints from clients and other stakeholders,” stated the official.

This is why, Fajardo vowed, that more movements will happen in the CSG under his watch in adherence to PNP officer-in-charge PLt. Gen. Archie Gamboa’s initiative to rid the organization of bad eggs en route to regaining the public’s trust and confidence.

“We will be steadfast in this commitment for frontline services of the PNP Civil Security Group to be a clientele-friendly ambiance for all stakeholders in the businesses of firearms and explosives and security and protective services,” Fajardo stressed.

“The problem in the CSG, SOCIA and FEO are systemic and deeply-rooted. Hence, as the director, I am determined and will continue to conduct revamps. This is just an initial step, an initial action to correct the problem,” he added.

After dealing with erring personnel, Fajardo said his next focus will be on “problematic” firearms dealers and security companies.