LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Cordillera is calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide security guards and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in schools to ensure safety of students and its facilities.
“Bad elements today do not choose what to rob so there is a need for schools to beef up their security not only to protect the teachers and students during school days but also to protect the school properties and facilities with most schools already equipped with high tech equipment and gadgets,” PRO-Cordillera Regional Operations Division Deputy Chief Davy Limmong said during the Oplan Balik Eskwela Inter-agency meeting last week.
Limmong said PRO-Cordillera recorded last year at least nine robbery incidents in Benguet and one in Apayao where perpetrators took several computer units and other gadgets being used by teachers and students.
School officials and the Parents-Teachers Association officers are also encouraged to coordinate with police officers or station commanders in charge of their schools regarding security plans and other measures to protect the students, teachers and the schools.
Limmong also suggested the installation of CCTV cameras in school as additional safety mechanism.
He assured police presence and visibility at the different schools and areas of convergence when classes opened on June 5 to ensure safety and security of students and teachers.
At least 3,000 police officers, with the augmentation of other force multipliers including barangay peacekeeping teams and watchmen were mobilized during the school opening in the Cordillera.
For safety tips, Limmong said students should be always careful and to safe keep their money, gadgets and other valuables.
He also urged parents and teachers to discourage students from brining their prized possessions including their gadgets and other valuables to school for them not to be victims of criminals. (PR)