Comelec urges PNP to suspend 'Oplan Katok', PNP defends as regular police function
On Thursday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to suspend 'Oplan Katok' operations for the May 2025 elections.
Garcia expressed concerns that Oplan Katok may instill fear in voters and be used to the advantage of some candidates or incumbents.
The PNP, however, maintains that Oplan Katok is a regular police function aimed at accounting for firearms with expired licenses or those lost by owners.
PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil assured that only homes with unregistered firearms are targeted and emphasized it is part of normal police duties.
Data from the PNP showed 621,395 notices were issued to gun owners in 10 months of 2024, with 16,473 renewing their licenses and 10,676 firearms turned over for safekeeping.
The Comelec and PNP are scheduled to discuss the issues related to Oplan Katok on Tuesday.
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