Once upon a time, well but not so long ago, then young police officer Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. would make it a point to sit down with school authorities in areas where he was assigned as chief of police and discuss police presence inside school.

Not exactly to conduct patrol or stay inside for the duration of activities everyday but for the inclusion of police officers in some of the important routine activities of students and teachers.

“Every Monday, we would send our personnel in some schools to lead the flag-raising and even the Panatang Makabayan (patriotic oath) as part of our police visibility measure,” Nartatez recalled.

He said he started it when he was assigned as chief of police in some areas and until such time that he became the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

He said there was even a point that such good interactions led to the police being invited as instructors to discuss law enforcement, peace and order and the role of the police for a safe community.

This is the kind of engagement that Philippine National Police wants to be initiated by commanders of territorial police forces, down to the municipal and city levels, not only to boost police presence but also make the students and teachers feel safe.

And this is what Nartatez, now the PNP chief, wants to institutionalize by enhancing collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) to encourage weekly police participation in school flag-raising ceremonies and educational activities.

This, he said, is part of efforts to cultivate safer campuses and deter crime through sustained visibility and engagement.

“Our goal is not to police the classroom but to build trust and provide a sense of security. When students regularly see police officers during flag ceremonies and school activities, they are reminded that law enforcement is part of the community, and that police are always ready to help,” Nartatez said.

The proposal gained attention following the June 22 shooting incident inside a school in Tacloban City that claimed the lives of at least three students.

As the PNP reviews security measures in schools, Nartatez stressed that regular police visibility can serve as both a deterrent and a bridge between law enforcers and the youth.

No patrol

Under the existing protocol, policemen are not allowed to enter schools to conduct patrol or any activity unless there is a written consent of the school principal.

And based on his own experience, Nartatez said they are contented with the presence of policemen during flag-raising ceremonies, and interaction with students through classroom discussion is a bonus.

He then Nartatez clarified that what they are pushing for does not involve routine patrol operations inside school grounds.

Instead, the PNP is looking at strengthening coordination with DepEd officials, school administrators, and local government units to institutionalize voluntary police participation in school safety activities while respecting the learning environment and the authority of school officials.

“Visibility can discourage criminal acts but more importantly, it encourages students to approach us, report concerns early, and become partners in keeping their schools safe,” Nartatez said.

he said the PNP will continue discussions with DepEd and other stakeholders to explore practical measures that can improve campus safety while maintaining schools as welcoming spaces for learning.

“I want to assure parents that this initiative is about safety, mentorship, and community engagement—not turning schools into police zones. Our officers will be present mainly during flag ceremonies, educational activities, and upon the invitation of school authorities,” said Nartatez.

“We want students to see police officers as protectors, role models, and trusted members of the community while preserving the positive and welcoming environment that every school deserves,” he added.

School violence

For Nartatez, learners teachers and school personnel deserve an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.

“I therefore direct all police commanders to strengthen police visibility around schools, intensify preventive patrols, conduct security assessments and sustain close coordination with school authorities, local government units, parents and community stakeholders,” said Nartatez in his speech during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

“Let us remain proactive and vigilant in addressing threats before they escalate into incidents,” he added