20,000 cops for school opening

By: Nikko Dizon - 10 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—20,000 policemen will be deployed nationwide for increased visibility at school premises “to prevent out-of-school youth from bullying pupils/students during the whole school year,” a Philippine National Police statement said on Friday.

They will man the 7,400 Police Assistance Desks that would coordinate with local government units, the parent-teacher associations of the schools as well as nongovernment organizations to ensure a smooth opening of classes on June 2.

According to the police, the common street crimes include pickpocketing, snatching, swindling, robbery/ holdup and street-level drug trafficking.

In Metro Manila, the PNP deployed 2,500 police personnel at the University Belt area in Manila and in the immediate vicinity of schools “to complement foot and mobile operations of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams and local police units.”

“Mobile and foot patrols will also be conducted along major routes leading to all learning institutions and within the immediate vicinity of school premises,” the PNP said.

The PNP met with the Department of Education on May 23 to discuss and address the common problems encountered during school openings.

The national police reminded parents to have “constant communication” with the school’s teachers or security guards. They must also let their children know who would pick them up after class.

Students should also be told to avoid talking to strangers, wearing jewelry, bringing large amounts of money and using expensive mobile phones while on the streets.