PNP: Resumption of classes ‘generally peaceful’

PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome

MANILA, Philippines – The resumption of classes Monday was “generally peaceful and orderly” in most parts of the country, a Philippine National Police official said.

The PNP chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, said “no serious” untoward incident was monitored by the National Operations Center of Camp Crame as around 21-million students returned to their schools for the start of school year 2012-2013.

“I am personally satisfied with the deployment of troops for police beat patrol and visibility operations in Manila’s University Belt Area, and in vicinity of school premises elsewhere around the country,” Bartolome said.

Nonetheless, Bartolome said regional and district directors should remain vigilant, and sustain the same level of intensified police visibility operations in school areas to preclude any untoward incident.

He said local Education department officials and school authorities lauded the preventive measures implemented by the PNP to sweep areas near schools of petty crimes.

In coordination with school authorities and their respective local government unit, Bartolome earlier directed PNP regional offices and national support units to perform specific tasks to set into motion a nationwide security and public safety plan to protect students from street crimes and organized crime groups.