MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) community relations office has launched the “Pulis Ko, Titser Ko” program to dismantle shadow governments set up by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the country’s remote areas.
Police Director Leopoldo Bataoil told reporters during the weekly Usapang Daungan sa Danarra Hotel in Quezon City that the tapping of policemen as teachers in far flung areas has been effective in wooing communist rebels to come down from their mountain strongholds and rejoin mainstream society.
“Policemen-teachers are winning the hearts and minds of the people in insurgency affected areas,” Bataoil said.
He said at least three NPA amazons have surrendered after they were convinced that the PNP is addressing the illiteracy program in their locality.
“The targets of the outreach program are the children of the mass base of the NPA who were not able to attend classes because of the lack of teachers in their communities,” he added.
The Pulis Ko Titser Ko program was initially implemented in PNP Region 1 as part of the adopt-a-school program which allowed the Regional Mobile Group to organize its members as substitute teachers in San Marcelino, Dingras in Ilocos Norte.
Aside from acting as substitute teachers, the policemen also provide security within the school premises.
Bataoil said the PNP, in coordination with the Department of Education, will implement the program all over the country.
“The PNP will complement the Army Literacy Program which is being carried out by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in rebel-infested areas across the country,” he said.