PNP assures security and safety of students in Northern Mindanao

Wednesday 16th of June 2010

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (16 June) -- The ample preparation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with regards to the school opening can help deter the criminal activities and prevent untoward incidents from happening.

This is the assurance of P/Chief Supt. Conrado E. Laza, Regional Director of PNP, region 10, who said the PNP has made numerous coordination with the other government agencies and stakeholders for the security and safety of the millions of students in the region who are back to school in both public and private institutions.

"We want 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, thus, we have implemented "Implan 07/2010, Balik Eskwela 2010," he said.

Under the plan, the PNP deploys sizeable police forces to man the Police Assistance Desks (PAD) at bus terminals, malls and bookstores for the "last minute shopping" and in the vicinity of universities/colleges/ schools, during the regular opening of classes.

Meanwhile, some 220 PAD's manned by 585 PNP personnel have been established all over the region in time for the opening of classes on June 15.

Additional PNP personnel have been deployed and those undergoing field training program (FTP) have been utilized to beef up those conducting visibility operation and managing the traffic leading to and from schools.

Likewise, dialogues with school heads and concerned barangay local officials have been conducted on the security needs of the students while Mobile Reaction Units/Teams have been maintained for immediate response to emergency cases, Laza added. (PIA 10)