PNP eyes tighter ties with barangay tanods for school security

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it was looking into closer coordination with barangay watchmen (tanod) as part of measures to bolster school security after a series of violent incidents.

At a press briefing in Camp Crame, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the national police force had already given some recommendations to the Department of Education in the wake of two knife attacks in Cavite schools last week.

“We understand there is not enough budget for all the measures we’re thinking of, like X-ray scanners, metal detectors, the hiring of more security guards, but we have alternatives like closer coordination with the barangays,” Co noted.

READ: Police: Only one security guard at Tacloban City school during shooting

“Maybe barangay tanods can help them in filtering the people coming in, checking our students who are coming in so that it will not happen again,” he added.

READ: PNP eyes DepEd coordination after Tacloban, Cavite school attacks

Co explained that schools are “zones of peace” and thus, armed police officers could not immediately enter their premises.

One of the knife attacks took place in a private school in General Trias City last June 16.

It involved a Grade 8 student allegedly stabbing seven Grade 5 students.

“Although not yet confirmed, it was found out that the suspect or the person of interest was suffering from some depressive condition. So, what we did here was intervention, and she is already being given psychosocial support as well as guidance and counseling,” Co said.

“The victims are now safe. They are out of danger and, of course, we have improved our coordination,” he added.

The other knife attack took place in a Cavite City school last June 19, involving a senior high school student repeatedly stabbing an 18-year-old student. /cb