Monday, June 04, 2007 PNP readies back-up teams for schools
THE Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 is “100 percent ready” for today’s school opening.
PRO 7 Director Silverio Alarcio Jr. said that provincial and city police directors have been busy preparing their operation plans to ensure students and their parents will not be victimized on the opening of classes.
Though none of the commanders in the region have requested for additional troops, Alarcio assured they have forces from the Regional Mobile Group, field training police officers and police recruits on standby to augment the existing forces if needed.
However, he believes they have enough troops to cover the school opening.
Aside from police visibility and mobile patrols, stations have been instructed to create police assistance desks in major schools.
Police officers will also aid in ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and will be coordinating with the barangays to implement Oplan Balik-Skwela.
Police visibility will be increased in university areas and commercial centers, which is expected to draw crowds wanting to purchase school supplies.
All provincial and city police directors have been instructed to clear school zones of criminal elements to safeguard students and their parents or guardians.
They have also been tasked to clear the immediate vicinities of schools of obstructions to make sure traffic going to and from the schools flows smoothly.
A school liaison officer has been designated to coordinate with school authorities to oversee the implementation of Oplan Balik-Skwela.
In Cebu City, a special anti-robbery and thievery task force has been created to minimize, if not stop, the foreseen increase in petty crimes usually brought about during school openings.
Cebu Province, on the other hand, will be implementing a three-phase plan that includes the establishment of 24-hour checkpoints and inspections at bus terminals and ports of entry. (MEA)
