MAXIMUM security measures are already in place to ensure the safety of students, teachers and the rest of the general public in the formal opening of schooyear 2022-2023 this Monday amid the new normal, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said.

All 17 Police Regional Offices led by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under Brigadier Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo have coordinated with Department of Education (DepEd) authorities their operational guidelines and procedures to ensure peace,order and public safety during the school opening, the top cop explained.

Azurin said the PNP Operational Guidelines for Ligtas Balik-Eswela SY 2022-2023 serve as the main reference of the force as they intensify law enforcement activities in all learning institutions, transportation hubs and places of convergence.

He added that uniformed and plainclothes police officers have been deployed in these areas to prevent and suppress crime incidents like physical injuries, pickpocketing, snatching, and other forms of robbery and theft wherein students, teachers, and parents/guardians may become victims.

Azurin said that amid the expected influx of students during in-person classes, PNP COVID-19 patrollers will also be deployed to ensure the observance of Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) specifically the wearing of face masks, physical distancing and frequent handwashing especially in places or regions with high-risk classifications.

The top cop said he has instructed all unit commanders to coordinate with school authorities as well as Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) to carry out public safety services, such as illegal drug prevention, education and other necessary anti-criminality programs.

Police stations have been directed to conduct mobile and foot patrols along major routes and highways leading to all learning institutions and within the immediate vicinity of school premises to monitor and evaluate the daily activities and prevent outsiders to mingle with pupils/students that may influence them in engaging in vices and illegal activities.

Azurin said the police, in coordination with concerned Local Government Units (LGUs), will also strictly implement ordinances within the school zones especially in Manila’s University-Belt Area that prohibits the operation of video game shops, billiard halls and distractive games and recreations.

Police Assistance Desks near the main entrance of school campuses nationwide will also be established in coordination with DepEd officials to ensure the safety and security of the children, employees, visitors and tourists visiting schools.

Azurin added that the PNP will also provide appropriate number of policemen to participate in the Brigada Eskwela Project of the DepEd and Simulation Exercises (SIMEX) in coordination with school authorities on possible threats in schools like bomb threat, fire incident, earthquake and other related scenarios.

“Makakaasa rin ating mga kababayan na sa pamamagitan ng programang “MKK=K” (Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayaan tungo sa Kaunlaran) sa tulong ng KASIMBAYANAN, na aking inilunsad, patuloy ang pagseserbisyo ng Pambansang Pulisya Ng Pilipinas hindi lamang bilang mga tagabantay at tagapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan sa komunidad kundi bilang isang organisasyon na tumutulong sa ating mga kababayan at vulnerable sectors ng ating komunidad kasama na ang mga minamahal nating kabataan, sa anumang oras at panahon,” Gen. Azurin said.

Estomo said that upon the instructions Azurin, they are maximizing their presence in the streets of Metro Manila to protect the students, the teaching community and the rest of the citizenry during the formal school opening.

Estomo said that being the center of all learning institutions in the country, they will be fielding 5,233 uniformed personnel as well as different ‘force multipliers’ in 1,212 public and private colleges and universities as well as high schools and elementary schools in Metro Manila as part of their security measures.

“Contingencies to beef up our deployment which will be in need basis and will depend on the situation on the ground are already in place. Our reserved personnel are geared to augment our forces anytime.” said the Metro Manila police chief.

The official said that apart from the establishment of 440 police assistance desks around the metropolis, they are also conducting a series of coordination meetings with school officials.

He added that they will also deploy 38 EOD/K-9 personnel, 74 bus marshals, 90 officers in transportation hubs and terminals as well as 318 personnel which will provide ‘Libreng Sakay’ to the students.

The Metro Manila police chief said they will also be getting support from 3,296 ‘tanods’ and other volunteers coming from different Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams in the metropolis during the school opening security measures.

He added that 149 NCRPO trucks and mobile cars will also be put on standby to transport any stranded students during the period.

“We want to ensure readiness to address all foreseeable circumstances and to immediately respond should our presence and assistance be necessary. We owe it to the returning students, teachers and parents to give this year’s Balik-Eskwela our deepest commitment considering that we have not yet fully eradicated the dangers pressed by COVID-19 virus on top of our anti-criminality campaign,” Estomo said.

“We urge our people to remain vigilant and to observe minimum health standard protocols to protect themselves and their families not only from the danger of the COVID-19 virus but also from falling victims to lawless elements,” he added.