By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following the recent statements of the Diocese of Bacolod calling the revised “Oplan: Tokhang” of the Philippine National Police (PNP) “less bloody,” Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18) director, Police Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban, assured they will follow the rules of engagement against drug suspects.
Gumban said, so far in the Negros Island Region (NIR), there are no cases of extrajudicial killings committed by cops against alleged drug suspects.
He said they will follow standard procedures and will only engage drug suspects if they fire back or if innocent civilians are put in danger.
Gumban explained most of the alleged extrajudicial killings are in Metro Manila.
Although, he admitted to one instance in Negros Oriental, where a drug suspect fought back while being arrested, forcing cops to shoot the suspect and accidentally struck a child.
“So far, it is the only case and we did see that there was a mistake on the part of the law enforcement officials,” Gumban said.
He noted, since the resumption of the police anti-drug campaign, there have been no records of suspects fighting back with police in the region.
However, Gumban strongly urged the four dioceses in NIR to cooperate and join them in reforming drug pushers and users in the region.
“The priests should cooperate and convince those involved on illegal drugs to stop,” Gumban added.
Previously, Diocese of Bacolod social communications head, Fr. Felix Pasquin, said the revised “Oplan: Tokhang” is far different than the months before it was suspended by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Pasquin said police appear to be more conscious in avoiding violent confrontation against illegal drug suspects.
He said he hopes police will concentrate on a more “humane face” in their operations, with the intention of saving and rehabilitating the pusher, user, and the drug lords./WDJ