PNP eyes review of memos between state universities, military

MANILA, Philippines — The covenants forged between the Department of National Defense (DND) and state schools like the University of the Philippines (UP) must be reviewed to maximize police presence inside campuses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

“I already asked to review ‘yung memorandum of understanding and memorandum of agreement between the DND and UP… This is a government property, this is a public property and yet ‘di pwede papasukin ang ating mga law enforcers,” Albayalde told reporters in Camp Crame when asked if he agrees with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s proposal to increase police patrols inside public schools.

Dela Rosa made such a suggestion during a Senate hearing on students and minors allegedly recruited to join leftist groups like Anakbayan and League of Filipino Students.

Some of these students were reportedly from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University.

READ: Dela Rosa: 513 minors recruited by NPA ‘neutralized’ in last two decades

Albayalde explained they have been planning to increase police visibility but some state universities “don’t like” the presence of police officers within their campuses.

“Ginagawa na natin ‘yan (We are already conducting police patrolling in schools). Well, you know some of these campuses, they don’t like uniformed personnel. It’s as if meron silang autonomy,” Albayalde said. /kga