Comelec urges PNP: Suspend ‘Oplan Katok’

- Advertisement -

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday urged the PNP to suspend the implementation of its “Oplan Katok” campaign during the election period.

Elections chairman George Garcia aired the appeal a day after he called for a dialogue with the police leadership to discuss the door-to-door campaign to curb loose firearms across the country.

“We are asking them if it is possible to defer the implementation of Oplan Katok amid the election period,” said Garcia.

- Advertisement -

“Hopefully, within this season, maybe it would be better if it will be postponed and just do Oplan Katok after the election period,” he added.

Garcia said they want to prevent any possible controversies that might arise with the enforcement of the campaign.

“This is in order to avoid any issues, such as voters being intimidated, or Oplan Katok being used for the advantage of some politicians… We don’t want these issues to come up,” he said.

Asked what the poll body will do if the PNP does not heed their call, Garcia said the Comelec is ready to exercise its authority over its deputized agencies.

“If there is a need, we will be forced to set aside the judgment of a deputized agency just to protect the interest of the people and ensure an honest, clean, and orderly election,” said Garcia.

Nevertheless, he stressed that they are hopeful that the decision will still come from the PNP.

“We will not take action without the appropriate discussion or dialogue (with the PNP) because it is still possible that there are other ways available,” he said.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said he will sit down with Garcia and explain the rationale behind Oplan Katok.

“I will discuss it with the chairman because that (Oplan Katok) is a normal police duty,” Marbil told reporters during an ambush interview at Camp Crame after the celebration of the PNP’s 34th foundation anniversary.

“Its (Oplan Katok) purpose is really to account (for) all the (unregistered) firearms,” he also said, adding that such firearms can be used in committing crimes.

Marbil said that under the campaign, policemen only visit the houses of individuals who have unregistered firearms.

“We’re only visiting those who have unregistered firearms because if you fail to register these firearms, we have to confiscate these firearms. That’s the purpose of Oplan Katok,” he said, as he noted that some gun holders forget to renew the registration of their firearms.

“We will discuss with the (Comelec) chairman that the purpose of this is to really account the (unregistered) firearms of these people,” he added.

Asked if the PNP will continue to implement the Oplan Katok pending the meeting with the Comelec, Marbil said: “Of course. Our job will continue.”

“It is not prohibited by the elections and it’s really the job of the police to locate firearms, account all the firearms,” he said. – With Victor Reyes

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: