Comelec chief urges PNP to suspend ‘Oplan Katok’ for 2025 polls
Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO)
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec ) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Thursday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to suspend its “Oplan Katok” (Operation Knock) operations for the 2025 elections.
According to Garcia, this is to avoid sowing fear among voters and creating an impression that the operation is done in favor of a particular politician or poll aspirant.
“Oplan Katok” is a door-to-door operation conducted by the PNP to ask citizens with unregistered firearms to renew their licenses and encourage them to surrender their firearms for safekeeping.
“Paulit-ulit po nating i-emphasize, i-pakiusap sa kanila, hindi naman po ito pwersahan, na kung pwede masuspend na lang muna ang implementasyon ng Oplan Katok dito lang naman sa panahon ng election period,” Garcia said in an ambush interview at the Manila Hotel.
(We will continue to appeal to them to suspend the implementation of Oplan Katok during the election period.)
“Ito po ay para maiwasan ang kahit na anong issue ng natatakot ang mga botante, nagagamit itong Oplan Katok para sa advantage ng politiko, ilang kandidato, at incumbents,” Garcia added.
(To avoid sowing fear among voters or for it to be used for the advantage of politicians, candidates and incumbents.)
Further, Garcia said that there is no use of conducting the operations on legal firearms. He also noted that it must be done after the election period.
Garcia also called on the PNP to assess the authority given by the Comelec.
When asked about Comelec’s next move if the law enforcement agency refuses to suspend the operations, Garcia answered that they will maintain “critical” collaboration and discussions.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil clarified that the “Oplan Katok” is part of normal police duty. He added that they only hold the operation for unregistered firearms.
Marbil also said that he will discuss the matter with Garcia since the purpose of “Oplan Katok” is to “account [for] all the firearms.”
The PNP on Wednesday said that ot has so far logged 408 gun ban violators ahead of the midterm elections in May.
