PNP to intensify training of personnel on ‘Tokhang’ procedures

FILE: Oplan Tokhang (Photo: Noli Ferrer/Facebook.com)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will educate its personnel more to comply with standard operating procedures in an effort to address lapses in the implementation of Oplan Tokhang, newly-appointed Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) head, Senior Superintendent Rhodel Sermonia said.

During a press briefing at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City Thursday, Sermonia described “Tokhang” as a “good program” that has led to the voluntary surrender of more than one million drug personalities since its official implementation on July 1 last year.

“‘Tokhang’ is one of the best programs the PNP (has) ever (had). Maybe we need the help of the media to help us promote the ‘Tokhang’ program as a very good program, considering that it has surrendered more than a million drug personalities, neutralized thousands of drug pushers,” he said.

The PCRG chief said the effectiveness of the program can be gauged by the continued support of different government agencies and stakeholders of the PNP.

“We can see the support of the different agencies of government and our community partners. (It means that) the program is good but we need the help of the media to (propagate) and tell the public that ‘Tokhang’ is not a negative program,” he added.

Nonetheless, to shed off its “unfriendly”  image, PNP personnel have to do more community engagement and work, Sermonia said.

“Aside from relentless operations now being done by all the units of the PNP, we have to do more community engagement. We have to involve other agencies of government, not only the PNP, which is very important,” he added. (PNA)