BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR
CEBU, June 1 (PIA) --- Police Regional Office (PRO-7) is ready for 'Balik Eskwela' and has already drafted plans to implement maximum security for the opening of classes on June 2.
In a recent Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) Forum, PRO 7 Officer-in-Charge PSSUPT Orlanda Ualat said that all police offices in the region are directed to implement maximum deployment of police personnel in schools for the opening of classes.
Ualat said that the Central Visayas police force are divided to assure that security measures will be implemented.
He added that personnel will be mostly deployed in schools within crime prone and notable areas.
Personnel assigned in schools will man the police assistance desk and will also guide students in the pedestrian lanes.
PRO-7 chief for the regional operations and planning, Sr. Supt. Erson Digal said the police has done its coordination meeting with its officials in the provinces to strictly implement the Oplan Balik Eskwela.
Digal added that police officials in the provinces are also directed to coordinate with schools' officials for the schedules of opening of classes.
The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) identified some 1, 800 private and public schools of which the police will only focus on about 245 schools in big and component cities in Cebu province.
There will be more than 300 police personnel to man the police assistance desks as well as conduct foot and mobile patrol in schools and in nearby areas.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) deputy city director PSUPT Alet Virtucio also said that there will be 200 personnel assigned for daily deployment in these identified schools for security measures during opening of classes.
Apart from the deployment of police personnel CCPO also crafted other plans to ensure security in the opening of classes.
“We also created team of personnel for foot patrol in areas notable for crimes. We also draft leaflets for distribution on how to prevent crime, support units will be deployed in some schools,” Virtucio said.
He also said that a change of plan may also be created to cover security implementation in schools and notable crime areas nearby during weekends.
Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has identified 38 schools to be manned by 93 police personnel.
MCPO director PSSUPT Petronelli Baldebrin then said that “our personnel will be manning the police assistance desk and assist in children crossing the streets.”
Baldebrin also added that Bantay Lakbay will be integrated in their Oplan Balik Eskwela as it is expected that students will flock in ports and terminals.
Lapulapu City Police Office (LLCPO) included the island of Olango in its implementation of Oplan Balik Eskwela with 54 public schools to be manned by 59 police personnel apart from the 283 force multipliers from Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).
“We also coordinate with school officials and guidance counselors on specific problems encountered by their schools, we also have to intensify personnel presence in ports and terminals, foot patrol and mobile patrol will also augment in the areas outside the schools,” LCCPO deputy city director PSUPT Jonathan Abella said. (mbcn/AYS/PIA7)