PNP preparing for June 3 opening of classes

May 20, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) is preparing for the opening of classes as 29 million students are expected in public and private schools on June 3.

“After the 2019 Midterm Elections, the Philippine National Police is now focusing on the whole-of-the-system approach to layout a nationwide security and public safety plan for the opening of classes on June 3,”

Police General Oscar Albayalde, the PNP chief, said in a press briefing Monday.

Albayalde said he issued the operational guidelines for Ligtas Balik-Eskwela 2019 which directs all police regional offices and national support units to perform specific tasks and coordinating instructions to implement the nationwide security and public safety plan.

“And ensure the availability and operational readiness of PNP units, personnel and resources for security and public safety operations in support of the Department of Education ( DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education ( CHED),” he added.

“In our security and operational thrusts, our guidelines for this year’s Ligtas Balik-Eskwela ensures the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns including threats from criminal elements that may take advantage of the situation,” he said.

The PNP regional directors have the discretionary authority to maintain full alert conditions as they feel to implement their respective security and public safety plans.

Police patrols will be in the vicinity of schools to look-out for drug traffickers, muggers, and violent street gangs that may infiltrate the ranks of students.

“Local PNP units are instructed to coordinate closely with school administrators and officials of the DepEd and CHED to implement safety and security measures in campuses,” he added.

Albayalde said they are in coordination with Local Government Units, Department of Transportation and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as the National Capital Region Police Office will assume traffic management operations in the vicinity of schools, particularly in the university belt.

“Similar security measures will be implemented in seaports, airports, and land transport terminals in anticipation of the heavy volume of incoming passengers from the provinces, mostly students returning from the summer vacation,” he said.

The PNP chief said they will deploy around 120,000 police personnel under this program. Ella Dionisio/DMS