By Reuben P. Navarro

Tokhang. The word has come to evoke fear among many today; for some, it could mean imprisonment for many years – for others, death. Why? What does “tokhang” mean? It’s become a favorite word among the media?, yet, why do many cringe in fear from there mere mention of the word?
The word itself is not part of the Pilipino language nor any of the country’s numerous dialects. It is a combination of two Cebuano words, “toktok” (meaning to knock) and “hangyo” (meaning to request). Therefore, the term implies “knocking” on one’s door and “requesting” a dialogue. However, the word has become a part of the country’s ever-increasing vocabulary.
“Operation Tokhang” is a government initiative formulated to address the widespread drug addiction afflicting the country. Police knock on the doors of suspected drug users and pushers and request they cooperate with authorities. The strategy has been hailed as bold and noble, aimed at persuading addicts to undergo rehabilitation and pushing pushers to stop their criminal activity.
Admittedly, the idea of police knocking on the door of suspected drug personalities is frightening.
As events have unfolded, Tokhang has resulted in the death of, not only the thousands involved in illegal drugs, but the police who participated in the operations. Even the innocent, including children, have become collateral damage, causing untold grief and fostering hate towards those in authority.
It has also polarized various sectors of society, including the church.

A different Tokhang: Who? What? How?
Happily, there is a different kind of Operation Tokhang being wages and it’s not by the police, it’s by meek, God-fearing individuals, the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
They are not armed with guns or any deadly weapon, what they carry is the Bible, God’s word, which they believe has the power to change lives, including drug addicts, pushers, as well as the most hardened criminals (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). These Christians not only call on those with questionable morals and character, but those who hunger for spiritual enlightenment.
They do not barge in, but gently knock on the door. They do not demand confrontation, but politely request households listen to their message.
The Witness’ brand of Tokhang does not engender fear, hatred, and hopelessness, it promotes joy, friendship, and hope for a happy future.
This activity is not exclusive to the Philippines, it goes on around the world. On any given day, over eight million Jehovah’s Witnesses, in 240 countries, are eagerly knocking on doors and cheerfully requesting those they meet to listen to the “good news of the Kingdom.”
They rejoice at being able to tell anybody about God’s promise of a world free from lawlessness; where love, peace, and unity among people of all races and language prevails. These Christians happily participate in a worldwide evangelizing program, never asking for, nor expecting, compensation or material reimbursement. They are motivated by their love of God and their fellowman.

Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses and why do they, unlike other religious organizations, regularly engage in house-to-house ministry.
Jehovah’s Witnesses come from hundreds of ethnic backgrounds, speaking a multitude of languages, yet they are united by common goals and beliefs; they all want to honor Jehovah, the God of the Bible and Creator of all things. They do their best to imitate Jesus Christ, God’s son, and are proud to be called Christians.
Since they witness, or talk, about Jehovah, God, and his Kingdom, they are known as Jehovah’s Witnesses (Isaiah 43:10). They take to heart Jesus’ model prayer, “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.”
Witnesses base all religious beliefs on the Bible, accepting it as God’s inspired word. They believe that living by biblical teaching and principles gives life purpose, promotes strong family ties, and develops productive, happy, and honest citizens (John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21).
These true Christians love peace and hate war and are absolutely neutral in political and partisan affairs. Jehovah’s Witnesses follow Jesus’ example of being “no part of the world” by avoiding unchristian prejudice and controversy that divide people today.
However, they do not physically separate themselves from those who do not share their beliefs, nor harbor resentment towards them. Instead, they enjoy cordial relations with them (John 17:15, 16).
Although far from being “puritans,” they also enjoy good life, Witnesses avoid being excessive in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or prominence.
Witnesses obey the law, pay taxes honestly, cooperate in community projects that do not compromise their faith, and desire nothing but to live peacefully with everyone.
When calamities and disasters occur, the Witnesses mobilize efforts as quickly as possible and extend assistance to victims, regardless of religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses were among the first to offer assistance following the World Trade Center attack in New York City, the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolana that struck the Philippines, to name a few.

Preaching as a way of life
An important part of Witness worship is door-to-door preaching, a distinguishing feature. Why do they participate in this work? The simple answer lies in Witnesses’ sincere desire to obey Jesus’ command to “preach the good news of the Kingdom in all the inhabited earth” and “make disciples of people of all the nations” (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20).
When Jesus sent out his early disciples, he directed them to visit the homes of the people. He told them: “As you go, preach, saying, the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near. Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving… When you enter the house, greet the household. If the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it… Wherever anyone does not receive you or listen to your words, ongoing out of that house… shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:7, 11-13).
After Jesus’ death, first century Christians continued to spread their message, both “publicly and from house to house” (Acts 5: 42; 20: 20).
Today, these evangelizers follow the example of those early Christians and find their door-to-door ministry is a good way to reach people and share their beliefs. On the other hand, Witnesses fully respect other people’s religious convictions and never insist on their own teachings.
When people tell them they are not interested and do not wish to talk, they take their leave.

The success of the Witnesses’ “Operation Tokhang”
Is the Jehovah’s Witness “Operation Tokhang” a success? It most certainly is.
Last year, almost 8.5 million preachers spent close to 2 billion hours engaged in field ministry, knocking on doors and requesting a discussion. Response was varied, some opened their doors tentatively and listened with skepticism, others invited Witnesses into their home out of curiosity, but most were welcomed warmly.
Since there are so many individuals wishing to learn the truth about God’s word, over 10 million free home Bible courses were conducted around the world, resulting in 264,535 baptism.
In the Philippines, there are over 200,000 Witnesses, all of them actively knocking on doors and requesting brief conversations. They also regularly meet at Kingdom Halls, primarily to study the Bible.
Once a year, they gather in large groups in cities and towns across the country to attend conventions. From June to August this year, 142 conventions have been scheduled, with some 500,000 Witnesses expected to attend. These Christians happily follow the Bible’s exhortation to “consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together” (Hebrews 10:24, 25).
During these conventions, about 5,000 who positively responded to the Witness “Tokhang” operation will be baptized. These individuals previously accepted the offer of free home Bible study, acquired sufficient knowledge of basic teachings of God’s word, made necessary changes to their life to conform with the standards of true Christian living, and, most important of all, made playful dedication to Jehovah God.
With the success of this version of Operation Tokhang, it will continue, so long as there are individuals with honest hearts who yearn for enduring peace, prosperity, and happiness, who open their doors to these Christian preachers and listen to their message.

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Reuben P. Navarro was formerly head of the media services for Philippine Airlines, until his retirement in 1988. Part of his job was maintaining good relations with personalities in print and broadcast media. He used to contribute articles on air travel and the airline industry to various major newspapers. At present, Navarro is associated with the United Parañaque Sucat congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.(End)