The reality about Tokhang

THE relaunching of ‘Tokhang’ for the war on drugs has been enthusiastically welcomed by communities that noted the dramatic decrease in crimes when it was launched last year, and the resurgence of crimes in their neighborhood when it was suspended.

Without a doubt, the war on drugs has a direct impact and correlation on commission of crimes against lives and property. The man on the street can tell you.

Curiously, the mention of ‘tokhang’, indeed, strikes fear into the hearts of criminals and drug dealers all because of perception projected by national media that identified criminal suspects are summarily executed by law enforcers. In reality, this is not the case in the province because the rate of deaths during police operations, and note, not by Tokhang, has been very low.

Tokhang merely establishes the identities of known drug pushers and users via a civil police visit in their homes. The identified drug personalities are simply warned that their activities are known and the appeal is made for them to surrender, to be processed and avail of the opportunity to go through a rehab program for free, which otherwise can cost a thousand bucks, is given. That’s tokhang.

But if Tokhang is perceived as a deadly activity by criminals then it’s a plus for peace loving communities. Let’s leave that perception with the drug lords, dealers and users and other petty criminals.

 

Our very own

IT is a leap of joy once more for us, Dagupenos and Pangasinenses alike. Reason? Dr. Francisco “Pingkoy” T. Duque III has just been confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Health.

As provided for by law, all Department secretaries need the nod of the Commission of Appointments (CA) to become official members of the President’s Cabinet. The all-powerful CA is composed of senators and representatives, who had earlier shot down the nominations of Gina Lopez (Environment), Rafael Mariano (Agrarian), Judy Taguiwalo (Social Welfare), Perfecto Yasay Jr. (Foreign Affairs) and Josephine Ubial (Health).

Duque’s appointment was affirmed right on the first CA hearing last week, a screaming testament to his unsullied reputation as a sterling public servant for the longest time.

For re-occupying his post a second time (he was also DOH chief under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration ending 2010), Duque, who was Civil Service Commission boss before President Duterte tapped him as his Health secretary, more than proved his mettle.

His late father and namesake, who was also a former Health secretary after becoming Governor of Pangasinan in the Sixties, must be smiling broadly from Up There.

When our very own like Pingkoy makes his mark on the national level—many times over at that—a part of us gets this tingling sensation of galvanized glee coupled with precious pride.  Geez!

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments