AFP deploys contingent to secure schools

MANILA, Philippines – Military men also trooped to schools with students as classes resumed nationwide on Monday to ensure orderly and safe first day of school.

An estimated 500 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) provided “manpower and assistance” to 27 elementary and secondary schools throughout Metro Manila to support the Department of Education’s (DepEd) “Oplan Balik Eskwela”, AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said in a statement.

“This involvement is an annual undertaking by the AFP in collaboration with other stakeholders to support the DepEd in ensuring the youth with a safe and secure environment conducive to learning,” he said.

The members of the AFP contingent were deployed to five schools in Manila, one in Pasig City, five in Quezon City, two in Valenzuela City, one in Navotas City, three in Pasay City, one in Marikina City, one in Caloocan City, three in Taguig City, two in Makati City, two in Malabon City, and one in Mandaluyong City, AFP said.

The AFP will also provide security to other remote and interior areas that the Philippine National Police (PNP) cannot cover.

“The AFP will take over as the primary agency responsible for providing security to school children in coordination with the DepEd personnel stationed in those areas,” the AFP said.

The AFP personnel were composed of regular and reserve forces from the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) squadrons of the Air Force, Army, and Navy.

The AFP previously took part in the “Brigada Eskwela” program of DepEd by “painting, repairing, cleaning, and sanitizing school facilities and classrooms nationwide for the students to have a clean environment as well as safe facilities to use during the school year.”

General Jessie Dellosa, AFP Chief of Staff, said in the statement that “AFP’s participation in Brigada Eskwela and Balik Eskwela … is our contribution to the government as it continues to promote education as a key ingredient towards achieving peace, stability, and sustainable growth and progress.”

“We are always ready to help and assist our government in all of its endeavors to address our society’s needs. We will exert our best efforts to make sure our young citizens will have a safe and secure learning environment,” Dellosa said.