Hontiveros files resolution to end ‘Oplan Tokhang’

Under Senate Resolution 309, Hontiveros seeks the continued suspension of Oplan Tokhang which was suspended last January 30 following the murder of Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo inside the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame (Photo: PNA)

MANILA –Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday filed a resolution seeking to end Oplan Tokhang also known as the government’s aggressive campaign against illicit drugs.

Under Senate Resolution 309, Hontiveros seeks the continued suspension of Oplan Tokhang which was suspended last January 30 following the murder of Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo inside the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame

It was recently revived after Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gave PNP chief Director Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa the option to revive it if necessary to eliminate the country’s drug problem.

Aside from the death of the Korean national, Hontiveros pointed out that the campaign has claimed over 7,000 lives, with 2,555 coming from police operations and another 3,603 unsolved drug-related killings.

“The resumption of Oplan Tokhang and project double barrel will only result in more suffering and needless death for our countrymen,” Hontiveros stressed.

Hontiveros said the campaign is used by “corrupt” and “abusive” policemen for acts of extortion and murder.

She further said that Pres. Duterte himself said that nearly 40 percent of the police force is engaged in illegal activities.

The neophyte senator said that cleansing of the PNP and regaining the trust of the public should be the government’s top priorities.

She reiterated her call to address the country’s drug problem as a public health issue which should be treated using a variety of approaches.