Security tight in Davao City as schools open amid martial law

Authorities have implemented stricter security measures in Davao City for the opening of classes on Monday for school year 2017-2018 amid martial law in Mindanao.

According to a report by Ian Cruz on Unang Balita, 95 percent of the Davao Philippine National Police have been deployed in school areas, Sr. Supt. Alex Tagum, chief of the Davao PNP, said.

The PNP has also coordinated with the Department of Education for the Balik Eskwela plan.

Col. Erwin Bernard Neri, commander of Task Force Davao, said mobile patrols will be visible in the vicinity of schools.

Up until Sunday, school personnel and teachers were busy doing last-minute preparations at the F. Bangoy Central School in Davao City.

School principal Ana Liza Abayon said they will be stricter with regard to security.

Old students will be required to wear their old IDs.

Only parents and guardians will be allowed inside the school premises, and they should also have IDs as well.

On Monday, students crowded in front of the school gate as authorities searched each bag before they were let through.

Abayon said about 5,000 students have enrolled in their school for the current school year.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after the Maute group staged attacks in Marawi City. —KG, GMA News