Comelec understands but needs safeguards in PNP’s ‘Oplan Katok’
Election gun ban. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified that it was not against Oplan Katok – the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) door-to-door initiative for gun owners to renew their licenses – but that the poll body wanted “safeguards.”
The debate between the two agencies over the police operation began last Jan. 24 when Comelec Chairman George Garcia expressed concerns that Oplan Katok could be used to intimidate candidates and voters in the lead up to the May 2025 national and local elections.
“We understand the intention of the PNP. However, safeguards may be needed to ensure that this method is not abused,” Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told reporters in Filipino during a chance interview in Camp Crame.
“We don’t want to stop, we don’t want to supplant, the decision of the Comelec, the work of our PNP. What we want is to outline orderly safeguards so that it won’t be abused and there would be no chilling effect on our citizens,” Laudiangco added in Filipino.
PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil previously defended Oplan Katok as part of the police force’s normal operations, stressing that the initiative was not meant for “political intimidation.”
However, poll watchdog Kontra Daya warned that the operation may have a chilling effect.
READ: PNP’s ‘Oplan Katok’ unnecessary, has chilling effect – poll watchdog
When pressed on whether Comelec wanted its personnel to accompany the PNP in implementing Oplan Katok to ensure safety, Laudiangco said the 6,000-strong poll body was spread thin in training teachers and preparing materials for the election.
“We hope that there’d be orderly safeguards like that of social welfare programs so that there’d be a level of security and confidence that it won’t be abused,” the Comelec spokesperson said.
READ: Comelec: 28 DSWD programs exempted from poll spending ban
Earlier in January, the Comelec exempted 28 Department of Social Welfare and Development programs from the ban on ayuda under conditions which include that no candidates or politicians are at the distribution of the ayuda in whatever nature or form.
