The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying more than 33,000 policemen nationwide to assist in the opening of the classes for majority of public and private schools this week.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that while a number of schools decided to postpone the class opening due to the effects of typhoon “Carina”, most of the schools outside the areas directly affectd by the weather disturbance will still push through with the schedule of the Department of Education.

“So far, the initial deployment plan includes the deployment of more than 33,000 of our personnel on the roads leading schools and other areas,” said Fajardo.

Fajardo said police personnel were directed to to conduct patrols in the schools’ vicinity and to be on guard against criminal elements that may prey on the students and other school personnel.

These include drug pushers, muggers, and violent street gangs who may infiltrate the ranks of students.

She said police commanders were also tasked to establish of police assistance desks (PADs) and maintain high presence in crime-prone areas.

“The instruction of our Chief PNP (Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil) is to make sure that the areas where the students and teachers frequently go are identified to ensure their safety,” said Fajardo. 

“So he wants to make sure that these areas will have police presence,” she added.

For his part, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II tasked all the agency officials to coordinate with their respective local government units (LGUs) for the assistance that the agency could provide for the opening of classes this week. 

“Your LTO, through our personnel on the ground, will assist in the smooth flow of traffic and ensure compliance of motorists on courtesy and discipline on the road,” said Mendoza. 

“My instruction is to coordinate with the LGUs for the traffic management and what assistance the LTO could provide to ensure the safety of the students, teachers and school personnel, and all road users,” he added.

Mendoza said additional instruction was also made to check on the road worthiness of motor vehicles being used for school services in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

He said LTO personnel will also be on the lookout for tricycles and other motor vehicles that transport students more than their allowed capacity: “We also have to check on motor vehicles overloaded with students because that is very risky and leads to road accidents.”