THE Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) has started the re-implementation of "Oplan Tokhang" following the release of the guidelines for all selected police operatives nationwide to follow.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa signed the supplemental guidelines for Oplan Tokhang, which detailed how the project should be done for a bloodless war on drugs.
BCPO Director Ramil Saculles said an eight-man team headed by a supervisor was created and has started the re-implementation of Oplan Tokhang.
Under the guidelines, the drug watch list will serve as guide of police before they implement Oplan Tokhang.
"Under the new rules, only names validated by the PNP's Directorate for Intelligence can be added to the list, while names not validated shall be queued for further validation," Saculles said.
The guidelines pointed out all stations and precincts should have select people taking part in the operations, each vouched for by the local police chief.
Each team must have at least four cops, led by a ranked police.
"Outside the uniformed circle, cops are required to bring with them at least one member of the local anti-drug abuse council or Adac comprised mostly of local government officials. A PNP Human Rights Affairs Office representative or a civilian human rights advocate should also be included in the squad, reminding members of suspects basic rights," said Saculles.
Once completed, the group will undergo a one-day orientation with practical exercises or role playing for them to remember the rules.
Other salient points of the new guidelines are for the local police chief to be tasked to let the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the media, and the community to know who their Tokhangers are.
"Each Tokhang team is required to name a team leader who will gather all members before every operation, which is to be followed by a meeting with the station commander for a pre-deployment briefing," added Saculles.