‘Western Visayas police ready for school opening’


ILOILO CITY – Police Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, newly installed Western Visayas police chief, has assured the public that police are ready for a peaceful opening of classes Monday, Aug. 22.

POLICE Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, Police Regional Office-6 director, talks to the media after assuming the post as Western Visayas police chief. (Tara Yap)

“I already gave instruction to all unit commanders to ensure that everyone is safe and the resumption of face-to face classes is peaceful,” said Francisco.

Police in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod, will maximize the deployment of its personnel in identified strategic areas such as schools, transportation hubs, and main streets.

“There will be established police assistance desks, mobile, foot, and detective patrollers in these areas,” said Francisco.

He also ordered all commanders to coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd), including school authorities, as well as local government units (LGUs), for the preparation.

Local police will tap barangay tanods as force multipliers to maintain peace and order.