Following the President’s directive during his 5th SONA for concerned agencies to collaborate on enhancing school safety, the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured that it will comply, as this is also aligned with its mandate.

“Magtutulungan ang lokal na pamahalaan, ang barangay, PNP, DepEd, upang palakasin ang seguridad sa paaralan.” PBBM said on his SONA

[“The local government, the barangay, the PNP, and the DepEd will work together to strengthen school security.”]

According to the PNP, its mandate is to ensure public safety, including educational institutions.

“Ang eskwelahan natin ay member of the community. Of course, tutulong tayo sa mga opisyales ng DepEd at other training institutions,” said PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

[“Our schools are members of the community. Of course, we will assist officials from DepEd and other training institutions.”]

The PNP Chief added that police patrols and monitoring within the school vicinities are continuous. Also, he suggested implementing dedicated programs and activities to prevent further school violence.

Alongside police visibility around schools, the PNP will strengthen the coordination not only with school administrators and teachers, but also with barangays and local government units.

“We increase coordination and engagement, and of course, other activities tulad ng napag-usapan natin or ginagaya natin sa ibang bansa kung ano yung mga best practices na yan,” he said

[“We increase coordination and engagement, and of course, other activities, like what we discussed or adopting best practices in other countries.”]

The initiative aims to bolster school security and to prevent the occurrence of the recent violent incidents at Tacloban and Cavite.