PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said on Thursday, August 29, that he was elated by the openness of the University of the Philippines (UP) to have their security officers undergo police training.
"That's a good sign. At least, they admit na talagang mayroong problema doon. No less than the chair of the Ched (Commission on Higher Education) have already said na talagang may problema doon sa loob especially proliferation of illegal drugs," Albayalde said.
In a bid to end communist recruitment among the students particularly in state colleges and universities, authorities are pushing for the restoration of police patrols inside campuses.
The proposal, which is also being pushed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, was criticized by activists, who described it as campus militarization.
Albayalde, however, noted that deployment of policemen in the vicinity of schools and universities is part of their job of maintaining peace and order.
On Tuesday, Ched Chairperson Prospero de Vera said the University of the Philippines (UP) is faced with the challenges related to NPA recruitment of students and proliferation of illegal drugs.
De Vera said the UP police, unlike the PNP, does not have the capacity to respond to such activities.
Albayalde added that petty crimes such as robbery and theft were also recorded in other UP campuses.
"So how they can monitor? They were not even intelligence-trained. Itong mga tao na to (These people), they don't even have police power to investigate and to file cases. Kailangan talaga nila ang tulong natin doon (They really need our help)," he said.
Elena Pernia, UP vice president for Public Affairs, has said the campus is open to the idea of having its police and security guards trained by PNP to strengthen their capabilities.
Albayalde said they are willing to use their facilities to train UP guards and police.
The PNP and military officials have conducted a series of dialogues with De Vera and other university officials to explore ways of strengthening cooperation for the security of the students. (SunStar Philippines)