23,000 Cops Deployed by Philippine National Police to Secure Students
Philippine National Police (PNP) would send out about 23,000 officers across the country to prepare for the start of in-person or face-to-face classes at schools starting next week.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., has directed that all police units throughout the country begin implementing security measures to ensure the safety of students and teachers. Azurin stated that he has already ordered the distribution of a memorandum addressed to all unit commanders, particularly police chiefs, to begin strategic deployment of their personnel and intensify law enforcement institutions, transportation hubs, and place convergence.
According to the report of Inquirer.Net, Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, a spokesperson for the PNP, stated that officers would be stationed close to help desks and schools. Police officers will be stationed at police assistance desks, where parents and students can report security concerns.
“We’ll be deploying more or less 23,000-plus PNP personnel na ipapakalat natin yan nationwide particularly dyan sa mga premises ng eskwelahan at kasama na rin dyan yung mga pulis na ilalagay natin sa ating mga established na police assistance desk,” Fajardo said at a public briefing.
Fajardo stated that they began coordinating with school administrators and government agencies as early as July. Aside from schools, Fajardo anticipates crowding in transportation hubs and terminals as some schools implement a complete face-to-face setup.
While the PNP prepares security measures, an infectious disease expert advised teachers to get COVID-19 vaccinations before the start of face-to-face classes. The report mentioned that, Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine unit at Manila’s San Lazaro Hospital, said it’s critical to protect children and teachers from Covid-19.
The beginning of courses for the 2022–2023 school year was already confirmed by the Department of Education for August 22. Sara Duterte, vice president and secretary of education, stated that schools may combine in-person and online instruction from August through October 31 while they make the transition to fully in-person instruction.
Even though the number of instances has been progressively rising since June, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had indicated support for DepEd’s effort to resume fully in-person classes by November.
You may also visit: School Bus Operators Prepare for the Reopening of Face to Face Classes