‘Oplan Katok’ is not for ‘political intimidation‘ – PNP chief

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil talks with reporters during the PNP Day celebration at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. —File photo by Jason Sigales | INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Oplan Katok, a door-to-door crackdown against illegal firearms, is a “lawful and proactive initiative” to ensure responsible gun ownership contrary to claims that it enforces “political intimidation” amid the poll period.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rommel Marbil, made the assurance in a statement on Sunday, pointing out that the program complies with the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

“Revitalized Katok is a year-round initiative to ensure firearm holders comply with the law. It is not, and will never be, used for political purposes. The PNP is simply implementing Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which mandates the periodic renewal of firearm licenses,” Marbil said.

READ: PNP’s ‘Oplan Katok’ unnecessary, has chilling effect – poll watchdog

“Under the law, firearm owners must renew their License to Own and Possess Firearms and firearm registration every ten or five years, depending on their chosen option. Failure to comply can result in the revocation of their privilege to own firearms and possible confiscation, as the PNP is the principal regulatory body overseeing firearm ownership,” he added.

Under the initiative, Marbil explained that police officers would deliver formal notices and conduct house visits to remind gun owners with expiring licenses to renew them or surrender their firearms.

“This ensures that legitimate firearms do not become unaccounted for or fall into the wrong hands. It is one of the best practices of the PNP in accounting and reminding firearm holders about their obligations under the law,” the statement read.

Marbile added that claims that the program might be used during the election period were “unfounded and speculative.”

“There is no factual basis to claim that this program is meant to instill fear. We have been implementing Revitalized Katok for years — long before the election season,” he said.

“There is no agenda, no political bias, and no intimidation involved. Our reminders are purely legal and procedural, targeting only those with expired firearm licenses. Nothing more, nothing less,” Marbil further explained.

Last January 31, poll watchdog Kontra Daya said that the initiative was “unnecessary” and might even have a chilling effect on the public.

“There’s no legitimate reason to go house to house. Or if they want to do house to house, they have to follow the due process; there has to be a very, very clear search warrant,” Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao said.

“There is a chilling effect whenever the police, unintentional or not, would suddenly visit our supposed safe spaces. So there should be other ways for the police to secure or implement peace and order,” he added.