PNP mulls cop participation in school activities after Tacloban shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it is looking at coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to allow police officers to participate in school activities in a bid to bolster campus security.

The idea was raised after the fatal shooting incident in a Tacloban City high school carried out by two students, aged 14 and 15, the other day. Three students were killed while at least 20 others were wounded.

In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the agency is “looking to enhance collaboration with the Department of Education to encourage weekly police participation in school flag-raising ceremonies and educational activities.”

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READ: PNP eyes DepEd coordination after Tacloban, Cavite school attacks

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“When students regularly see police officers during flag ceremonies and school activities, they are reminded that law enforcement is part of the community, and that police are always ready to help,” he explained.

“Visibility can discourage criminal acts but more importantly, it encourages students to approach us, report concerns early, and become partners in keeping their schools safe,” Nartatez added.

He added that once police officers are done participating in the school activities, they may “engage with learners before returning to their regular assignments.”

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously cited that police officers were limited to conducting law enforcement activities outside schools.

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DepEd Order No. 44 series of 2005 declares schools as “zones of peace.”

In 2019, then-DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the “zones of peace” declaration meant the police and the military are required to coordinate with the agency first before conducting activities in its premises.

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Nartatez defended the PNP’s proposal for police officers to participate more often in school activities.

“The initiative does not involve routine patrol operations inside school grounds,” he said.

“Instead, the PNP is looking at strengthening coordination with DepEd officials, school administrators and local government units to institutionalize voluntary police participation in school safety activities while respecting the learning environment and the authority of school officials,” he added.

Nartatez further explained that the initiative had been previously implemented under his command as National Capital Region Police Office director and Police Regional Office Calabarzon director. /gsg

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