POLICE presence in schools throughout the country will remain heightened throughout the week to ensure peace and order, the PNP said yesterday.
The PNP reported a “generally peaceful” opening of classes in public schools across the country last Monday, attributing this to the “close coordination” with the Department of Education, local government units and other stakeholders.
“Police presence will remain heightened throughout the opening week to sustain the orderly flow of students and to respond promptly to any safety concerns,” the PNP said in a statement.
The PNP urged the public to remain “vigilant and proactive” by reporting suspicious activities or concerns.
PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III visited schools in Quezon City yesterday to check the security measures being implemented by policemen in these areas.
“The safe return of our students to their schools is a shared victory of every police officer, teacher, parent, and member of the government,” said Torre.
Torre said he witnessed the “discipline, cooperation, and preparedness of everyone on the ground”, referring to the policemen deployed at the schools.
“We remain fully committed to keeping our communities safe, especially for our children,” said Torre.
Torre said he was “very happy” and “very satisfied” with the performance of policemen to ensure security during the opening of classes.
“So far so good,” said Torre, adding they have yet to receive reports of any major untoward incident as of yesterday.
SPD, EPD REPORTS
No major crime incidents marred the opening of classes in southern Metro Manila last Monday, the Southern Police District said yesterday.
SPD Acting District Director Brig. General Joseph Arguelles said they have deployed a total of 1,871 policemen to secure the opening of classes in the cities of Makati, Taguig, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and the municipality of Pateros.
“This is to ensure the safety and security of more than 502,000 students returning to school for the opening of classes this June 2025,” Arguelles said.
He said the SPD set up 143 Police Assistance Desks in various school zones to provide immediate assistance in maintaining order, directing traffic, responding to emergencies, and addressing any public safety concerns during the school opening period.
“The Southern Police District is fully committed to safeguarding our learners as they return to school. Under the guidance of our Chief PNP, PGen Nicolas Torre III, we uphold the three core pillars of his leadership, namely, swift and responsive public service, unity and morale within the ranks, and accountability and modernization,” said Arguelles.
He also called on the public to take an active role in supporting the safe reopening of classes by remaining vigilant, practicing discipline in and around school zones, and promptly reporting any suspicious individuals, unattended items, or untoward incidents.
“Through strengthened collaboration between law enforcement, local government, schools, and the community, the SPD remains committed to creating a secure and welcoming environment for all learners this school year,” he added.
Arguelles said the SPD is also working with local government officials and school authorities to ensure the safety of teachers and learners not only during the opening day of classes but the entire school year.
The Eastern police district (EPD) reported that the Balik Eskwela 2025 in Metro East was generally peaceful.
Brig. Gen Aden Lagradante, EPD director, said that even before Oplan Balik Eskwela 2025, they increased police visibility in public and private schools in the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, and San Juan.
He assured that security and safety were prioritized, adding their personnel continue monitoring the areas around the schools in the four cities even at night.
Police also distributed flyers containing information on anti-crime, anti-bullying, and safety tips to students, school staff, and parents/guardians.
GATCHALIAN’S CALL
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called on the government to extend all the necessary support for teachers amid the rollout of basic education reforms this school year.
In a statement, Gatchalian said the Strengthened Senior High School Program is set for pilot implementation this year in around 800 schools, along with the revised K to 12 (Matatag) curriculum, which is implemented in phases, in Grades 2,3,5, and 8.
He said teachers should have the necessary training and be equipped with quality learning and teaching materials, which will help a lot in the rollout of the basic education reforms.
He said it is also important that teachers’ workload and workflow are streamlined, which requires increased adoption of digital technology.
He added that the government should speed up hiring of non-teaching staff who will do the school administrative tasks, thus lessening the workload of teachers.
“The success of basic education reforms we will introduce in our system relies greatly on our teachers. We need to give them all the support we can so we can assure that the youth can adapt to these,” he said. – With Ashzel Hachero, Christian Oineza, and Raymond Africa
