PNP to deploy cops to ensure peace, order during Balik-Eskwela SY 2022-2023

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy its personnel to ensure peace and order, and public safety when classes for School Year 2022-2023 open nationwide on August 22.

In a statement, the PNP said it had forwarded its Ligtas Balik-Eskwela SY 2022-2023 operational guidelines and procedures to all its units.

The guidelines include intensified law enforcement activities at learning institutions, transportation hubs, and places of convergence to prevent crimes.

According to the PNP, students, teachers, and guardians are vulnerable to physical injuries, pickpockets, snatchings, and other forms of robbery and theft.

PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said COVID-19 patrol officers would also be deployed to enforce minimum public health standards.

Unit commanders would meet with school authorities, and parents and teachers associations to provide public safety services like illegal drugs prevention, education, and other anti-criminality programs.

Police stations will conduct mobile and foot patrols along major routes and highways leading to campuses and prevent outsiders from mingling with students, who may be influenced by vices and illegal activities.

Police would coordinate with local government units on the strict implementation of zoning ordinances that prohibit video game shops, billiard establishments, and other distractive games and recreation within the immediate vicinity of schools, particularly in the U-Belt area of Manila.

Police Assistance Desks would be set up near the entrances of school campuses nationwide in coordination with DepEd officials.

Meanwhile, the PNP said it would also provide police officers who would participate in the Brigada Eskwela Project of the DepEd, as well as exercises simulating bomb threats, fires, earthquakes, and other related scenarios in coordination with school authorities. — DVM, GMA News