Over 18,000 cops to be deployed on school opening

MANILA, Philippines - More than 18,000 policemen will be deployed  nationwide during the opening of classes next week, the Philippine National Police said on Thursday.

Aside from the 18,580 cops, the PNP said it would set up a total of 7,441 assistance desk in coordination with various local government units, parent teacher associations, and non-government organizations.
 
The PNP will be coordinating  the deployment with the Department of Education as the agency activated its Oplan Balik Eskwela.

Of priority concern to the PNP are incidents of bullying and street crimes such as pickpocket, snatching, swindling, robberies, and street-level drug trafficking.

Local PNP units were also  instructed to coordinate closely with school administrators and officials of the DepEd and to increase police visibility operations at school premises to prevent out of school youth from bullying pupils during the whole school year.

Mobile and foot patrols will also be conducted along major routes leading to all schools campuses and within the immediate vicinity of campus premises.

In Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office is fielding 2,500 police personnel at the University Belt District of Manila and in the immediate vicinity of schools to complement foot and mobile operations of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams and local police units.

The PNP has provided safety reminders and tips to prevent crime and accidents in schools. Parents are advised to have constant communication with the teacher or security guard of the school, and to let their children know who will fetch them at the end of the class.

Students were also cautioned from talking with strangers by keeping their distance or not talking to them at all, and to avoid wearing jewelry, bringing large amount of money, or using expensive phones while in the streets.

The opening of classes for public schools is on June 2 and on June 6  for private schools.