INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – School bullies beware: Mamang pulis (foot patrolman) is watching you.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered its field units to closely coordinate with local education officials to prevent cases of bullying in schools as millions of students troop back to schools starting today (Monday).
More than 18,000 policemen would be deployed nationwide to conduct foot patrols and set up police assistance desks near academic institutions on the opening day of classes.
Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information office chief, said police stations were also instructed to manage the flow of traffic and protect students from petty criminals.
In the metropolis, about 2,500 would be stationed around the university belt in Manila as part of the PNP’s “Oplan Balik Eskwela.”
“All PNP units were ordered to increase police visibility near the school premises to prevent out-of-school youth from bullying students,” Sindac said.
“The PNP will regularly foot patrol to make sure that students on their way to schools will not be harassed by bullies,” he added.
Citing previous cases of bullying, he said neighborhood toughies and street children often prey on students by extorting money or food from them.
Sindac said 7,441 police assistance desks would be set up across the country where students and other individuals may report cases of bullying and other crimes.
Besides bullying, he said the policemen were also tasked to prevent common street crimes such snatching, swindling, robbery and street-level drug trafficking.
He said the PNP had asked the assistance of village councils and local government units in providing security to students and academic institutions.
Sindac also urged the students not to wear jewelry and bring expensive gadgets to schools to avoid getting the attention of snatchers.
“I don’t think jewelry is needed in the classrooms so it would safe for the students not to wear them. We also encourage students not to talk with strangers,” he said.
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