The Philippine government has ordered key law enforcement agencies, headed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), to enforce “Oplan Tokhang” against anyone suspected of engaging in illegal gambling activities.
An action first devised by President Rodrigo Duterte during his time as Mayor of Davao City, Oplan Tokhang involves police or other offices approaching suspected criminals and asking them to surrender, whereby they will be further monitored and asked to swear an oath never to commit those offences again.
It has previously been implemented primarily in President Duterte’s war on drugs, however the government is now turning their attention towards illegal gambling.
“Aside from the war on drugs, the PNP must implement the Oplan Tokhang principle in going after illegal gambling lords, this time to ensure that appropriate taxes go to government coffers,” said Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno during the nation’s traditional New Year’s call on Friday.
“I also prod PNP to ensure that Tokhang is not used or abused by policemen for their personal interests or some sort of vendetta against their enemies. Let us make sure that Tokhang is implemented for the sole purpose that it was conceived, and that is to round up drug personalities and other criminals.”
Sueno has encouraged officials from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Public Safety College and Local Government Academy to also take part.
