Security measures in place for June 16 school opening

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco yesterday said that security measures in all schools and universities in the metropolis are now in place in preparation for the opening of classes on June 16.

Velasco said that as part of the National Capital Region Police Office’s "Oplan Balik Eskwela," he directed Metro Manila district directors and chiefs of police to beef-up their anti-crime campaign particularly against street crimes involving cell phone snatching, holdup and robbery cases which naturally rise during school days.

"While we have succeeded in reducing street crimes since President Arroyo directed the PNP to make the streets safe for the people but dangerous to criminals,the challenge is to maintain the high-level anti-crime drive in the metropolis," the NCRPO chief stressed.

Likewise, as part of NCRPO’s "force multiplier program," Velasco has sought the assistance and cooperation of the local government units particularly the barangay officials and tanods in the implementation of security measures to ensure the protection of all students and maintenance of peace and order situation in their respective areas.

"Volunterism is essential in our concerted effort to fight criminals and prevent terrorists from sowing fear and execute their evil deeds during the opening of classes. We are assuring the public that more policemen will be deployed in strategic areas for their safety," Velasco said.

Velasco also instructed all the district directors to strictly implement police visibility in all schools near their jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza yesterday said security measures are now in place in all air, land and water transportations in the country as part fo the DOTC’s preparations for the opening of classes.

Mendoza said his department has already coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP), particularly the NCRPO led by General Velasco for the augmentation of policemen to help security personnel in all bus terminals, piers, airports, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

According to Mendoza, uniformed policemen are now positioned at all the rail stations while civilian attire law enforcers have been also asked to be visible inside the coaches.

"Heightened security measures in all mass transport are being observed in view of the threats of possible bombings in Metro Manila by some extremist groups," Mendoza said, who once served as former PNP chief.

Mendoza said that the DOTC and its attached agencies such as the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), MRT, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have joined hands with the PNP-NCRPO in the anti-terrorism campaign.

"We have the DOTC’s Action Agad hotline 7890 where the public can make a report or through the PNP’s Text 2920, Magic Eye Txt Patrol 2910, DILG Police Assistance Hotline 117," Mendoza added.