De Lima backs QC task force axing: No authority for ‘utak-Tokhang’

MANILA, Philippines — The disbanding of Quezon City’s Task Force Disiplina following the death of three teenagers at the hands of its members is justified, as no authority must be given to agencies that still have a “Tokhang” mindset, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima.

In a statement on Friday, de Lima said individuals who disregard lives and human rights should not be given the power to implement policies that discipline people.

The lawmaker’s remarks came after three teenagers aged 15, 18, and 19 were killed last Monday by a certain “Vin,” a drunk member of the Task Force Disiplina, Quezon City’s dedicated personnel to promote discipline, for simply violating the city’s curfew ordinance.  The incident led to the group’s disbandment.

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READ: No remorse: Task Force Disiplina enforcer kills 3 teens; QC vows reforms

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“Hindi kailanman dapat bigyan ng awtoridad o maging bahagi ng mga nagdidisiplina at nagpapatupad ng polisiya ang mga walang disiplina, mga utak-pulbura o utak-Tokhang pa rin – mga walang pagpapahalaga sa buhay at karapatang pantao,” de Lima said.

(No authority or role in disciplining the people and implementing policies should be given to those who cannot discipline themselves, to those who are trigger-happy, or those still with a Tokhang mindset — these are people who do not value lives and human rights.)

“Killing should never be a means of disciplining people,” she added.

Oplan Tokhang is the anti-drug program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte.  Former Philippine National Police chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa coined the term Tokhang, which is a combination of Visayan words “toktok” or “to knock” and “hangyo” or “to plead.”

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Despite Tokhang being about knocking on doors to check on individuals suspected to have links with the illegal drug trade, the operation has gained notoriety as it has been attributed to extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses committed during the time of Duterte.

Duterte, meanwhile, has been detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands since March 2025, due to the crimes against humanity charges borne out of alleged abuses in the drug war.

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READ: ’Kill them all’: Policy that triggered ICC case vs Rodrigo Duterte

According to de Lima, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s decision to disband Task Force Disiplina is laudable, but the lawmaker insists on a deeper investigation into the incident.

“We laud Mayor Joy Belmonte for her swift action on this matter. We call for a thorough investigation into this brutal incident and a deeper probe into other reported cases of violence and abuse involving the now-dismantled Task Force Disiplina,” de Lima said.

“Ang ating pong pakikiramay sa pamilya at mahal sa buhay ng mga biktima. Patuloy nating subaybayan ito hanggang makamit nila ang hustisya,” she added.

(We sympathize with the victims’ bereaved families and loved ones.  We will monitor this until they attain justice.)

READ: QC disbands Task Force Disiplina after enforcer kills 3 teens

Reports from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) showed that the fatal shooting occurred at around 2 a.m. last October 12, at the corner of Senatorial Street and Batasan-San Mateo Road in Barangay Batasan Hills.

Police Lt. Col. Gemmer Tubiera, commander of the Batasan police station, said a drunk Vin reprimanded the teenagers who were loitering on the street during curfew hours.

Quezon City enforces curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. under City Ordinance No. 2301, series of 2014.

The suspect, however, got angry when the teenagers responded disrespectfully.

The victims ran away after Vin pulled out a handgun, but he pursued them. After cornering the teenagers, Vin allegedly opened fire, killing them on the spot.

Tubierra said each of the three victims was shot at least once in different parts of their bodies. One of them was shot in the head, another in his chest, and the last one in his flank.

According to the Quezon City government, Task Force Disiplina helps ensure authorities implement city ordinances and rules and regulations.   However, the local government clarified that its personnel are not issued any firearms, amid reports that an improvised firearm was recovered from the suspect.

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The suspect, however, told reporters that he did not regret what he did, as they were a “menace to society.”/coa