THE Catholic Church in Bacolod City has called on the authorities to ensure bloodless operations in the renewed anti-drug campaign.
The rebooted Oplan Tokhang operations, or the visitation of drug personalities to ask them to stop their illegal activities, include new strategies.
Under the new guidelines, visitation on suspected drug personalities should only be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays, unlike in the old Tokhang where policemen can visit the homes of drug suspects anytime.
Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon reiterated the message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president, Archbishop Romulo Valles, to follow the law when conducting drug operations.
“After all, that is their primary duty – to uphold the rule of law and to defend life,” Buzon said.
He said he is always hoping that no human life will be wasted due to the police’s aggressive war on illegal drugs.
Fr. Chris Gonzales, head of Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod, said that police officers are actually sent there not for any other reason, but to save lives even those of involved in illegal drugs.
“They should be bearers of good news and not of dread or fear,” he added.
Gonzales said he is thankful that the local police here are “more responsible and life-loving law enforcers compared to those in other places.”
He also said the Catholic Church desires to have a closer working relationship with the police.
“We are working on it. Not in Tokhang itself, but in our rehabilitation efforts,” he said.
He added that they are planning to sit down with various concerned agencies for the rehabilitation of drug suspects.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa on Monday assured the public that the anti-drug operations will be less bloody, however, he pointed out that a total bloodless campaign is impossible as it would also depend on the reaction of drug personalities because they can’t allow themselves to be killed if the suspects engaged them.