Comelec: PNP’s Oplan Katok ‘presumed’ suspended during poll period

Headquarters of the Philippine National Police and its logo. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Oplan Katok is presumed suspended during the election period, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia.

Oplan Katok is a door-to-door operation conducted by the police to ask citizens with unregistered firearms to renew their licenses and encourage them to surrender their firearms for safekeeping.

Garcia said he based the observation that Oplan Katok is presumed suspended on what he said was the commitment of PNP chief General Rommel Marbil to the Comelec.

“During the previous visit of our Chief PNP at Comelec, he made a commitment that the entire organization of PNP would comply with any orders of the Commission on Elections,” Garcia said in an ambush interview in Filipino at Camp Crame.

“Therefore, if we notice, we have not monitored whatsoever [any activities] on Oplan Katok and we presume that it was suspended by the Philippine National Police due to the commitment of our Chief,” he added.

Under the law, the PNP is a deputized agency of Comelec during the election period. It means the poll body has the power to exercise direct supervision and control over the police required by law to perform duties relative to the conduct of elections.

READ: Marbil clarifies ‘Oplan Katok’ vs loose firearms is part of normal police duty

Garcia said the poll body suggested that instead of knocking door-to-door, the police should send notices or letters through couriers instead.

The PNP may file charges against violators if they remain unfazed, he added.