Chapter 1

Background of the Study

Introduction

Oplan Tokhang was implemented in 2016 and was spearheaded by President

Rodrigo Dutertes administration. The program was implemented as part of the anti-drug

campaigns of the Philippine National Police in order to lessen, and later eradicate the

number of drug dependents in the Philippines by warning them, together with illegal drug

traffickers, to stop their activities. Furthermore, this program has a very different

approach in solving the drug problem compared to the past operations of the PNP which

then created a large impact to communities and individuals.

Thus, this qualitative research is made to explore the opinions of some chosen

residents in Barangay Lapo-Lapo I who participate in interviews in order to fully know

how this program affected the community and the residents individually. Likewise, the

advantages and disadvantages of Oplan Tokhang are also identified. Additionally, in order

to suffice the information needed by the researchers, several other related literatures and

studies are used along with the Theory of Planned Behavior which was proposed by

Ajzen and Fishbein.

1
2
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to know the impact of Oplan Tokhang in the community of

Barangay Lapo-Lapo I based on the behaviour of the citizens towards it.

Furthermore, this study intends to answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the implementation od

Oplan Tokhang based on the community members' perceptions?

2. What is the behavior of the citizens towards the implementation

of Oplan Tokhang?

3
Significance of the Study

Stated in the succeeding paragraphs are the reasons cited by the researchers on

why this study holds importance and benefits to the following people affected by the

study.

To the local government of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I. The results of this study

will make them more aware of the citizens perspectives and behaviors towards the

ongoing implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their barangay. Thus, this study will also

help them know how effective Oplan Tokhang is and decide whether or not take further

action to enhance Oplan Tokhang based from the citizens opinions.

To the citizens of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I. The results of this study will help the

citizens to be more aware of the on-going implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their

barangay. Additionally, this study will give them additional perspectives which came

from their co-members of the community.

To the lawmakers. The findings of this paper will guide them in deciding

whether or not continue the implementation of Oplan Tokhang based from the responses

of the citizens and their feelings towards it. Likewise, they will also know the effectivity

of the program, coming from the citizens' perspectives.

To the students and future researchers. The results of this paper may serve as a

starting point for further studies and will give them a source of new data

and information for their research papers. To add, this will also widen their knowledge

because of the evidences and facts presented.

4
 To the readers. The findings of this study will provide them new ideas and data.

Additionally, this paper will also give them a chance to be more open-minded by

presenting different perspectives from the respondents. Lastly, they will be given a

glimpse of the realities faced by the community.

5
Scope and Delimitations

This study focuses on and is limited to the responses of five citizens of

Barangay Lapo-Lapo I who comes from different areas of professions but are all

knowledgeable about Oplan Tokhang.

The respondents are given the chance to decide whether to answer or not the

interview questions. The questions do not include any personal and sensitive information

such as their names, family background, addresses and other questions that are not related

to the topic.

Furthermore, this study also focuses on the following: the system of the

implementation of Oplan Tokhang to the community and the citizens' reactions and

behaviors towards the program.

It is beyond the grasp of the study to include the issues of extrajudicial killings

and the killings of police officers in buy-bust operations. Likewise, this paper does not

focus on other drug-related issues such as the drug testing programs in schools and

workplaces.

6
Theoretical Framework of the Study

Figure 1. Conceptual Model for the Theory of Planned Behavior

The Theory of Planned Behavior or Reasoned Action was formulated in 1980

by Ajzen and Fishbein. This theory states that an individual's behavior and reactions

towards something is determined by his behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control

beliefs which create his intention and later, his behavior. Therefore, the more favorable

the individual's beliefs and norms are towards the situation, the more favorable or

complying he will likely act during such.

Additionally, according to Moss (2016), human behaviors are not only governed

by internal factors such as ones own beliefs and values, but are also guided by social

pressures and a sense of control. For example, significant individuals such as friends,

colleagues or relatives affect the way an individual behave or opine.

7
 There are also key constructs included in the theory. These are the following: the

behavioral intention, experiential attitude, instrumental attitude, subjective (injunctive)

norm, descriptive norm, perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy (MD Quit,

2011). In this case, the behavioral intentions of the residents of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I is

characterized by their perceived yearning of having a drug-free community. The

residents' experiential attitude is their belief that the implementation

of Oplan Tokhang may lead to positive effects of negative damages. Their instrumental

attitude is their belief that the usage of drugs leads to certain attributes and outcomes

and Oplan Tokhang would have its own advantages and disadvantages. The residents'

subjective norms are represented by the majority's acceptance or not of the oplan while

their descriptive norm is the belief whether this majority are involved in the program. The

perceived behavioral control of the residents is the perceived likelihood of various

circumstances happening during the implementation of Oplan Tokhang and its aftermath

that can either solve the drug problem or worsen it. Lastly, the self-efficacy of the

residents are the perceived abilities to overcome various circumstances and conditions

that may prevent or hinder the implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their community.

8
Definition of Terms

Drugs. Chemicals or substances that change a person physiologically

or psychollogically; causes dependency and abuse (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

Dangerous Drug Board. The highest policy making and coordinating arm of matters

pertaining to law enforcement and control of drugs and rehabilitation of drug

users; shortened as DDB (Manwong, 2002)

Educational Approach. A type of approach aimed to lessen the number of drug users in

the community through seminar-workshops, symposiums and lecture forums

(Manwong, 2002)

Implementation. To bring a plan into an operation (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.)

Law Enforcement Approach. A type of approach aimed to lessen the number of drug

users in the community through drug policy making, laws and other police

operations. (Manwong, 2002)

Narcotics Command. The primary function is to utilize the supply reduction strategy to

eliminate the durg problem; shortened as NarCom (Manwong, 2002)

National Drug Law Enforcement Program and the National Drug Law Enforcement

and Prevention Coordinating Center. A law enforcement agency under

the offcie of the President and was founded to aid the Narcotics Command and

other agencies; shortened as NDLEPCC (Manwong, 2002)

9
Oplan. An abbreviation to shorten operational/operations plan (The Free

Dictionary, n.d.)

Tokhang. Came from two Visayan words "toktok" and "hangyo" meaning "knock" and

"respect" (Bueza, 2016)

Oplan Tokhang. A government project created to eradicate drug users and pusher by

means of police officers knocking on the doors of the suspected drug users and

pushers, then giving them a warning to surrender (Bueza, 2016)

Treatment and Rehabilitation Approach. A type of approach aimed to assist and treat

the drug abusers in order to prevent them from depending again to drugs

(Manwong, 2002)

10
 Chapter 3

Research Methodology

Research Design

The researchers use a qualitative research design to gather more information

through direct interviews with the citizens of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I who have truthful

experiences about the implementation of Oplan Tokhang in their barangay. This type of

research also aids the researchers in getting direct quotations from authentic interviews

with the chosen respondents of the community. It also tells its effectiveness mainly on the

perspective citizens. This study aims to understand how the respondents react about the

program and how it affects their way of living.

The researchers have also used a phenomenological approach of qualitative

research since it explains about their direct experiences or thoughts about the program. A

phenomenological study is also about describing a topic based on the lived experience of

the respondents. This specific approached helps the researchers in getting a conclusion

and recommendations.

11
Respondents

To explore more reactions about Oplan Tokhang and prevent biases, five

adults residing in Barangay Lapo-Lapo I with different areas of profession and levels of

interest are randomly chosen to be the main sources of the study. However, although the

participants differ in areas of profession, it is certain that they are homogenous in terms

of their knowledge in the oplan. Thus, there is a certainty that their responses are truthful

and are related to the potential effects of the security and order of their community. Such

type of answers is helpful and efficient to the overall success of the study.

Instrument of the Study

Interview questions are prepared by the researchers to help them gather responses

from the participants. Included in the interview questions are the barangay's methodology

of implementing Oplan Tokhang, its effectivity and aftermath and

the respondents' reactions towards Oplan Tokhang.

A semi-structured interview is used in gathering sufficient responses from the

citizens. Their answers center on the effectivity of Oplan Tokhang due to their peaceful

approach to the suspected drug users and pushers. They also give focus on the livelihood

programs that their barangay had given to the surrenderees.

12
Ethical Considerations

The residents of Barangay Lapo-Lapo I are properly informed of the interviews

and study that would take place. Furthermore, before the interview took place, the chosen

respondents are given the right to withdraw from the interview if they were not

comfortable in answering the questions. They are also knowledgeable that they have the

right to not allow recording materials while the interview was taking place. To add, there

identifications and private information will not be indicated in the study and would be

kept confidential.

All the information in this study is truthful and neither fabricated nor

manipulated. No idea included in this study is falsified or plagiarized. Any data that is not

owned by the researchers included the name of the author or the organization in

the citations. To add, the researchers are objective in handling data gathered from the

respondents. No biases or personal interests are included in the study which may affect

the study as a whole. Furthermore, the researchers strive to avoid negligence by critically

and carefully examining all of the data, related literatures, findings, conclusions and any

other facts which are included in the study.

Lastly, the researchers are open to each others' suggestions and ideas without any

kind of discrimination occurring. They treat each other with respect and give responsible

mentoring when needed.

13
 Bibliography

Apolinario, F. O., Peres, R.B., & Segarra, T.S. (1980). Social problems. Quezon City:

Rex Printing Company Inc.

Garcia, M. B. (1994). Social problems in the Philippine context. Navotas: Navotas Press.

Garcia, M.B. & Militante, L.O. (1986). Social problems. Navotas: Navotas Press.

Ronquillo, A.A., Peralta, A.M.R., Ramos, M.M., Salcedo, L.L., Zaide, C.A., & Espiritu,

S.C. (1987). Social issues and problems: Their implications to Philippine

national government. Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc.

Ronquillo, A.A., Peralta, A.M.R., Ramos, M.M., Salcedo, L.L., Zaide, C.A., & Espiritu,

S.C. (1989). Social issues and problems. Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc.

Ronquillo, A.A., Fontanilla, O.L., Peralta, A.M.R., Salcedo, L.L., & Espiritu, S.C. (1995).

Current issues (2nd ed.). Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc.

Sance, C.A. & Agpoa, F.B. (1987). Contemporary social problems and issues. Quezon

City: Kalayaan Press Mktg. Ent., Inc.

14