Metro Manila’s highest-ranking police officer said on Sunday that he would deploy nearly 5,000 cops to schools across the capital tomorrow, as thousands of students return to schools for the opening of the new academic year.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar told the Inquirer that the 4,600 uniformed personnel would be augmented by around 4,300 “force multipliers,” or village watchmen and security guards who would be closely coordinating with cops.
Although there were no immediate areas of concern, Eleazar warned of possible theft and vehicular accidents that could occur when children walk to school.
“In every crime, there are two elements: motive and opportunity,” the NCRPO chief said. “Motive, you cannot control. But the opportunity to commit the crime is what we will try to lessen.”
“Parents and guardians also need to be reminded not to bring expensive items and gadgets to school,” he said.
Eleazar will be overseeing the massive deployment of cops less than a week into his tenure as head of the police force in the country’s most populated metropolis.
READ: Eleazar named new NCRPO chief
Eleazar was plucked from his position as director of Reigon IV-A (Calabarzon) on Friday by Philippine National Police chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, to replace former NCRPO Director Camilo Cascolan. /ee