National police gear up for back-to-school kick-off next week
MANILA, Philippines – A day after the 138,000-strong Philippine National Police was placed on full alert status weeks ahead of Independence Day, its spokesman said that they will also be implementing a nationwide security and public safety plan before classes kick off next week.
Citing PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo’s letter of instruction (LOI) ‘Balik Eskwela 2011’, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. declared that all of their regional offices and national support units have been tasked to implement the security and public safety plan.
In a statement, Bacalzo said that the PNP has been placed under a nationwide full alert to ensure that all PNP units were prepared for deployment for the start of classes next week.
Apart from coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Bacalzo said that lawmen will be patrolling near schools, and have been tasked to be on the lookout for drug traffickers, street gangs and possible street crimes.
All regional directors may raise their alert status in their areas of responsibility, according to Bacalzo. He said that this would allow the regional police units to effectively perform their duties.
In Metro Manila alone, a 16,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office will be securing schools and putting up Police Assistance Desks.
Tasked to achieve a “zero crime incident in all school and university areas,” chief of NCRPO Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima said that the Motorized Anti-Street Crime Operatives (MASCO) will also be deployed to secure Metro Manila.
The NCRPO will also be securing seaports, airports as well as land transport terminals, said Cruz.
The entire police force, the PNP spokesman said, has been on full alert since 5 p.m. Monday in preparation for the start of classes on June 6, and Independence Day.
Commanders have been tasked to secure all police camps and offices, vital installations, economic key points and crowded areas, Cruz said.
Recently, PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said that his men will be on alert for possible terrorist attacks as they have beefed up preparations for the 113th anniversary of Independence Day.
Bacalzo stated that he has directed his men to ensure intensified police visibility through checkpoint operations, and mobile and foot patrol weeks before Independence Day celebrations take place.
He said that members of the Special Action Force, Regional Public Safety Battalion and other tactical police units will also be securing celebrations.
For the start of classes and Independence Day, police will also be coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in traffic operations, said Cruz.
The spokesman said that the NCRPO will be at the forefront of traffic management operations, especially along the University Belt in Manila.
