Philippine police gear up against criminals when classes start on June 4
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will monitor criminal elements like drug traffickers and street gangs in schools, which start classes on Monday, June 4, Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Saturday.
“Of priority concern to the PNP are incidents of street crimes such as pickpocket, snatching, swindling, robbery/hold-up, and street-level drug trafficking,” said Albayalde of their Oplan Ligtas Balik-Eskwela 2018 that would look out for the estimated 29 million private and public students.
Albayalde added that “police patrols in the vicinity of schools will also be on the look-out for drug traffickers, muggers, and violent street gangs that may infiltrate the ranks of students.”
He also advised students and teachers to avoid using their cellphones or show their valuables on the streets to discourage snatchers.
Albayalde also ordered the implementation of security measures in seaports, airports, and land transport terminals in anticipation of the increased number of students who would be returning home from their summer vacation.
He authorized regional directors to raise alerts if necessary to effectively implement their respective security and public safety plans.
“So far, our alert is normal alert. We leave the discretion to the different regional directors if there is a need to level up the alert,” Albayalde said.
He reminded that each school should have at least two police personnel and a police assistance desk to accommodate inquiries on peace and security.
Police personnel are expected to monitor areas around schools until the situation is normalized, he added.
Oplan Ligtas Balik-Eskwela 2018 is in coodination with Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education. ROY NARRA
The post Philippine police gear up against criminals when classes start on June 4 appeared first on The Manila Times Online.