Argumentative Essay


Oplan Tokhang: War on drugs



          “Life is a precious gift which god gives to humanity and killing was a great sin”. Have you ever encountered the word “Oplan Tokhang”? What is this all about? Is this really  help to eradicate poverty and criminalities in our society? How this related in drugs and what is the involvement of PNP (Philippine National Police)? Random questions were arises which can get awareness and enlightenment.
            At first I was so confused when I first heard a word “Oplan Tokhang” which launched in public by the used of Mass media. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has   ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to extend its ‘Oplan Tokhang’ program from illegal drugs to illegal gambling on “War on Drugs”. But on the counter part of the Catholic churches were not in favor to be implemented in the government because of the violent result to people. They believe that life is genuine, they preaches that life must be sacred.
            So what is an Oplan Tokhang? Oplan Tokhang, which means “knock and plead,” which the police officer was, conducted operation wherein public peace authorities will knock on the doors of the suspected drug users or pushers and ask them voluntarily to surrender, however in reality it was far from the objective of the PNP because some lives of innocent civilian was involves and take their life unexpectedly. Tokhangers Police personnel who will implement Tokhang are called “Tokhangers.” They were chosen by each police chief to ensure that scalawags are kept out of the operations. The “Tokhangers” underwent orientation and re-training which includes exercises and role playing to ensure they know what to do on the ground. Each Tokhang team will have four members led by a deputy chief of police. This program really has a positive objective to be exactly in for betterment of society to lessen the drug user especially the youth. But on the counter part, it was a tragic wherein more likely innocent civilian was died in involvement on war on drug.  Thousands of criminal’s drug users and pusher was salvage and found out their dead body anywhere of the town.
            The DILG Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ Sueno said “I also prod PNP to ensure that (Oplan) Tokhang is not used or abused by policemen for their personal interests or some sort of vendetta against their enemies. He makes sure also that Tokhang is implemented for the sole purpose that it was conceived, and that is to round up drug personalities and other criminals”.  From the 41,000 police operations conducted nationwide, estimates of 44,000 drug pushers and users have been arrested. Around 1million self-confessed drug addicts have also reportedly surrendered, PNP estimates show. According to Secretary Martin Andanar Presidential Communications said, “It is evident we are hitting the mark in our campaign against illegal drugs,” He added that the government’s crackdown on narcotics also “pulled down the country’s crime rate by 32 percent.” These records are validity which means the campaign of president Rodrigo Duterte was” Successful”. It is a one way to rub out the lawlessness in our society and to exterminate the drugs syndicates or addict users which have a dirty wrong doing and it used in transacting business.   
                        The war on drugs was successfully implemented nationwide. Some civilians were chaos from grief sadness and shouting for justice. We cannot deny the fact how tremendous and violence will be results of the war on drugs on the part of civilians and family of the victims. The successful implementation of the Oplan Tokhang was an achievement of the whole Philippines National Police (PNP) and Pres. Duterte on his part. However, some cases were found out that the implementation was abusively and violent actions of the authorities were put on action. Mostly victims are young people who are really influenced with peer pressure which arouse with a curiosity. It’s because we cannot deny the fact that there are some several issues which related to this are not appropriate or has a negative result. Recently the some officer have involved with the murder of innocent senior high student named Kian Delos Santos who was killed victim of Oplan Tokhang campaign. Many Filipino netizen expressed outrage over Delos Santos's death. Both the hashtag #JusticeforKian and the phrase "Kian Delos Santos" were among the top Philippine trends on Twitter He’s parents was dying with grief sadness and all of he’s friends never believe that Kian is a Drug User. His family and friends was also stated that Kian is a loving-sweet man and full of dream. How come that Kian would be a drug-user? But the PNP stated also that Kian was under surveillance for many times and found out that he was selling drugs. There’s some video footage which supported that Kian is innocent. However, the Governments especially the PNP are not tolerated these kinds of cases. They will investigate according to the law and the guilty will be proved to the public.  The families of the victims are really begging for the Justice. This has earned the Philippine government condemnation from both local and international human rights groups. The PNP, however, maintained that the war against illegal drugs would still be the top priority of the government this year. Let’s not support and tolerate some sensitive issues which taking the innocent life. Let’s promote a healthy and peaceful life.
                       





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