PNP DRAWS-UP NATIONWIDE SECURITY PLAN FOR SCHOOL OPENING

THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE will implement a nationwide security and public safety plan for the opening of the school year on June first.

On instructions of PNP Officer in Charge, PDDG Leonardo A Espina, the Directorate for Operations issued the Operational Guidelines for Lig tas Balik-Eskwela 2015 mobilizing all PNP Regional Offices and National Support Units to perform specific tasks and coordinating instructions to implement the nationwide security and public safety plan.

The Directorate for Operations is also conducting periodic assessment of the situation ahead of the school opening on June 1 for possible upgrading of alert conditions in different areas of the country.

An estimated 25-million students in different levels are expected to troop to school for the simultaneous opening of classes in both public and private learning institutions.

Espina said Oplan Balik-Eskwela 2015 ensures the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns including threats from criminal elements that may take advantage of the situation.

The OIC, Chief PNP gave the Regional Directors the discretionary authority to raise alert conditions as they deem necessary to effectively implement their respective security and public safety plans.

Of priority concern to the PNP are incidents of street crimes such as pickpocket, snatching, swindling, robbery/hold-up, and street-level drug trafficking. Police patrols in the vicinity of schools will also be on the look-out for drug traffickers and violent street gangs that may infiltrate the ranks of students.

The PNP will also designate dedicated personnel to address bullying inside and outside the school premises in coordination with school officials and local ordinances that prohibit the operation of drinking places, gambling activities and computer gaming shops.

Local PNP units were instructed to coordinate closely with school administrators and officials of the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission of Higher Education (CHED), Local Government Units, Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs) and other concerned agencies to ensure safety and security of students.

In Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) including its five Police Districts will field its entire 24,000-strong personnel in strategic areas within the vicinity of schools for foot, mobile and police visibility patrols and establish Police Assistance Desks (PADs) manned by police and BPAT personnel with the strategic goal of “zero crime incident in all school and university areas”.

NCRPO Chief, PDir Carmelo Valmoria fielded more personnel to compliment foot and mobile patrol operations of BPAT and local police units in vicinity of schools.

In coordination with LGUs, DOTC and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the NCRPO will spearhead traffic management operations in the vicinity of schools particularly in the University Belt area of Manila.

Similar security measures will be implemented in seaports, airports, and land transport terminals in anticipation of the heavy volume of incoming passengers from the provinces.

If unnecessary actions or suspicious person or group are observed, the PNP advised the public to immediately report it or go to the nearest PADs or police stations or through PNP hotlines I-Txt Mo Kay Tsip at 0917-847-5757. # Adapted News,  (PNP-PIO)