Vice President Leni Robredo suggested ending the signature anti-drug campaign of the current administration ‘Oplan Tokhang’ with a more effective campaign with zero loss of lives.
Robredo who’s the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) told its members that she wanted to replace Oplan Tokhang because it already gained a bad reputation.
“Parang naka-reach siya ng certain level of notoriety na kapag sinabing Tokhang it is a war against the poor,” Robredo said.
“I think it is incumbent upon us to na mabago ‘yong kaisipan na ‘yon… Baka panahon na para pag-isipan natin ‘yong pagpalit ng isang kampanya na mas epektibo,” she added.
Meanwhile, PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino said that there’s no need to replace Oplan Tokhang by another campaign, because it has a good meaning.
“In fact, when you define Tokhang, it’s just encouraging drug personalities to surrender,” said Aquino.
“Pero iniba nila ang ibig sabihin, in fact, it’s a good oplan,” he added.
According to him, they just need to improve their operations to avoid loss of lives on both sides.
Aquino also invited Robredo to join the law enforcers in some of their operations so she can supervise it.
“Pwedeng challenge ko ‘yun sa inyo, ma’am, para at least, makita niyo kung paano nagtatrabaho ang ating law enforcers sa baba and from there, mapi-feel niyo how they work,” he said.
Tokhang is the combination of words “katok” or to knock the door, and the Visayan word “hangyo” or to appeal. It was started by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa during his term as the leader of PNP.