PNP boosts security as millions of students troop to schools for class opening
More than 55,000 policemen and force multipliers will be deployed to secure the opening of classes for public schools on Monday, June 8, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said as it declared full readiness without compromising regular anti-crime and public safety operations.
Around 28 million students are expected to troop back to schools nationwide and PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said they already planned strategic deployment of personnel to ensure that school security operations and law enforcement responsibilities are carried out simultaneously.
“The Philippine National Police is fully prepared and strategically positioned for the opening of classes. We already mobilized a robust force of police personnel nationwide under our Oplan Balik-Eskwela framework,” said Nartatez.
“This comprehensive deployment includes organic police officers dedicated to high-visibility campus patrols, traffic management, and the manning of Police Assistance Desks, reinforced by auxiliary forces and community partners,” he added.
More than 55,000 security personnel have been mobilized as millions of students return to classrooms across the country.
The deployment includes 28,751 PNP personnel, 4,079 personnel from other units, and 22,677 force multipliers from partner agencies and community organizations.
Nartatez stressed that the security effort extends beyond school grounds and forms part of the organization's broader public safety strategy.
Across the country, 9,319 Police Assistance Desks have been established in campuses and clustered schools. A total of 9,525 mobile patrol units will also be deployed to strengthen police visibility and response capabilities in school zones.
“Rest assured, this proactive school security measure is seamlessly integrated into our Enhanced Managing of Police Operations, ensuring our regular anti-crime campaigns, intelligence operations, and neighborhood safety initiatives remain completely uncompromised and fully operational,” Nartatez noted.
Meanwhile, the PNP said parents should have confidence that security measures are already in place to protect learners from both physical and online threats.
“To our parents and guardians, I want to give you our utmost assurance that your children's safety is our absolute priority,” said Nartatez.
“A peaceful school opening is a shared responsibility, and we encourage you to actively partner with our officers on the ground, confident that the PNP is fully vigilant and ready to protect our campuses as sacred sanctuaries for learning,” he added.