Comelec to discuss 'Oplan Katok' with PNP
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will meet this week to discuss and thresh out their differences over the latter's implementation of its «Oplan Katok.»
Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that he has been invited to the launching of the PNP's 100-day operation plan and he would take the opportunity to sit down and bring it out with PNP chief MGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
«As I repeatedly emphasized, I will request for the suspension of the implementation during the duration of the election period,» Garcia said, stressing that it is a good program and PNP may resume its implementation after the election period.
Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil (center) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia (right) lead the ceremonial launch of Comelec checkpoints in Manila on January 12, 2025 as the election period started. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTOGarcia said that suspending Oplan Katok's implementation during the election period would erase doubts among voters that the program is being used to benefit certain politicians or candidates.
He pointed out that at this time, «there's no basis to knock on somebody's door» because there's an existing gun ban.
«If the purpose for knocking on one's door is about illegal firearms, even if it is illegal, we can suspend it in the meantime and continue with it after the election period,» he said.
AdvertisementGarcia pointed out that the PNP and other deputized agencies should act based on the mandate of the Comelec which has almost unlimited power during the election period.
The 150-day election period began last Jan. 12, alongside a nationwide gun ban, until June 11 or a month after the May 12 polls to curb election-related violence.
«But we do not like to use that power to substitute our judgment to the judgment of other offices. But if there's a need we will be forced to even set aside the judgment of a deputized agency just to protect the interest of the people to ensure a clean, honest and orderly elections,» he added.
Garcia said that the Comelec and the PNP have a very good relationship and vowed to maintain their critical collaboration.
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