PNP thrilled with news of US replicating ‘Tokhang’

FILE: PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. John Bulalacao (PNA Photo)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is very much thrilled with reports indicating that United States President Donald Trump wants to emulate the anti-drug policies of China, Singapore, and the Philippines.

“This is welcome news. Kami naman ay natutuwa dahil syempre nare-recognize ng US government yung effort ng ating pamahalaan laban sa ipinagbabawal na droga (We are glad that the US government recognizes our government’s efforts against illegal drugs),” PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, said late Friday.

Bulalacao said this would inspire police officers to exert more efforts in pursuing the campaign against illegal drugs without sacrificing and violating any human right.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines SWAT Challenge at the Ma-a Firing Range in Davao City on March 1, called out the American media for criticizing his war on drugs, when the latter’s own government seems to be mirroring the Duterte administration’s “Tokhang” operations.

“Tingnan mo America, tinitira si Bato. Ngayon sino naga-Tokhang? Sila (Look at America, they’re targeting PNP chief Bato dela Rosa. Now who’s conducting Tokhang? It’s them [American government]),” Duterte said.

“They were able to capture a website, tapos lahat ng transaction sa droga, inagaw nila, dinetain nila in communicado yung mga drug people, and they operated it (Tokhang). So nalaman nila, lahat tino-Tokhang (They were able to capture a website, and they seized all the drug transactions. They detained in communicado those involved in drugs and they operated it. They knew about it and conducted Tokhang on every one of them),” he added.