PNP News Releases 2005

PNP ON NATIONWIDE ALERT FOR SCHOOL OPENING

PNP Chief, Director General Hermogenes E Ebdane Jr. has placed the entire 115,000-strong police force on nationwide "heightened alert" to provide security for the opening of classes starting next week.

Millions of students around the country are expected to troop to school for the simultaneous opening of classes in both public and private institutions.

PNP Director for Operations, Director Avelino Razon Jr., has issued a memorandum to all 17 PNP Regional Offices to maintain the heightened alert status in their respective areas of responsibility.

Razon said the measure aims to ensure the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns including threats from criminal elements who may take advantage of the situation.

Of priority concern to the PNP are incidents of street crimes such as pickpocketing, snatching, and robbery/hold-up.

Police patrols in the vicinity of schools will also be on the look-out for drug traffickers and violent street gangs who may infiltrate the ranks of students.

Since last month, local PNP units have been instructed to coordinate closely with school administrators and officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission of Higher Education (CHED) to ensure safety and security of students.

In Metro Manila, the entire 16,000 complement of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) from the five Police Districts will field its personnel in strategic areas within the vicinity of schools for foot, mobile and police visibility patrols.

In coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) of NCRPO will spearhead traffic management operations in the vicinity of schools particularly in the University Belt area of Manila .