The effectiveness of oplan tokhang: Its relation to drug incidents

Oplan Tokhang is a national law enforcement project that was launched over the country. A Visayan word ‘TOKHANG” means to approach and talk. This was launched as part of the campaign to warn drug traffickers and users to stop using drugs. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Oplan Tokhang in relation to drug reported incidents. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Oplan Tokhang in relation to drug reported incidents in the Municipality of Piat. This study utilized the descriptive normative research design. This design described the profile of the respondents; the level of effectiveness of Oplan Tokhang, present status of drug surrenderers resulting from the implementation of Oplan Tokhang, crime situation of drug reported incidents and the degree of seriousness of the problems regarding the implementation of Oplan Tokhang. Respondents of the study were the PNP Personnel of Piat Police Station and selected residents of the identified community of the Municipality of Piat using the random sampling method. The main instrument used in gathering the needed data was the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of five parts. The data was tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. The level of effectiveness of the Oplan Tokhang was analysed using the Likert scale. From the emerged findings of this study it is therefore concluded that the law enforcement arm of the Philippine National Police is very effective in enforcing the policy of government on Oplan Tokhang as this is manifested in the absence of crime incidence related to drugs in the locality, however, despite the seriousness of problems confronted, the police forces are still on the go and strongly motivated to do their job of protecting the residents and ensure their safety and to maintain peace in the community. Based from the findings of this study, the following are strongly recommended that the BADAC, MADAC and PNP should conduct regular seminars on drug education among the residents especially the parents to inform them of the disadvantages derived by drug using and to encourage the parents to voluntarily surrender their children who are hooked to drugs and undergo the government rehabilitation programs.