A TOTAL of 28,000 police personnel will be fielded nationwide Monday, June 4, to ensure peace and order during the school opening.
Then PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said police personnel including those in civilian clothes who will be conducting foot and mobile patrol and install police assistance desks outside school premises.
In the National Captial Region, about 8,000 security forces will be deployed in Metro Manila , National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Guillermo Eleazar said.
Eleazar said the forces include about 5,000 policemen and those who will be deployed by the local government units such as peace action teams and barangay tanods.
Eleazar said they will be monitoring closely the "bad eggs" who may take advantage of the vulnerability of the students.
"We will lessen the window of opportunity for them to do their thing," said Eleazar.
However, he reminded the students to always be alert and vigilant of their surroundings and to no longer bring expensive gadgets or any valuable item to school to avoid being targeted by the criminals.
Eleazar reminded the public that the safety of the students will require everyone's effort.
"Tulong-tulong po tayo at male-lessen ang krimen (Let us help each other to reduce crimes)," he said.
The NCRPO director assured that the PNP is 100-percent prepared for the class opening.
He also reminded the public of the new 911 emergency hotline which will replace the Patrol 117.
On May 25, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 56, which replaces the 117 emergency hotline with 911.
"Napakaganda ng ganyan... Gustong-gusto po natin 'yan bilang regional director. Natutuwa po tayo at ang ating tututukan ay ang implementasyon and how we can deliver the expected services sa mga nagrereklamo," Eleazar said. (SunStar Philippines)