Drug war to include posh Makati villages

MANILA, Philippines – Makati Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay ordered yesterday the local police to conduct “Oplan Tokhang” in the city’s posh villages as part of the campaign against illegal drugs.

Oplan Tokhang involves police officers visiting the homes of suspected drug pushers and users and asking them to change their ways.

Binay also called on the residents and barangay officials in the city’s six exclusive villages to help police in identifying known drug users and pushers in their communities.

Binay issued the directive following a report from Makati police chief Senior Superintendent Rommil Mitra that there were zero surrenderees in Barangays Magallanes, Dasmariñas, Forbes, San Lorenzo, Bel-Air and Urdaneta during the conduct of Oplan Tokhang on Monday.

“The war on drugs can only be won if we cooperate with the police,” Binay said.

According to Binay, the Makati police did not conduct Oplan Tokhang in the six villages, except for Magallanes, as they were not provided with a list of residents involved in illegal drugs.

Instead of a list, Barangays Bel-Air, Dasmariñas, Forbes Park, San Lorenzo and Urdaneta reportedly submitted to police certifications signed by their respective barangay chairmen that there were no drug pushers and users monitored in their villages.

Earlier, 734 suspected drug pushers and users in Makati surrendered to authorities.