QC cops to students: We're just a text away

MANILA, Philippines - Making use of cellular phones as helpful tools in times of emergencies, the local police of Quezon City are urging school authorities and students to be textmates with their police officials so that they can easily respond in times of trouble.

Apart from setting up police assistance desks in schools and conducting school rounds, the 12 station commanders of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) have been told to give out their cellular phone numbers to school authorities and students.

“We hope our students would also know the contact numbers of our station commanders,” QCPD deputy director for operations Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said on Friday.

The following are the numbers of the phones issued to the 12 QCPD station commanders:

Supt. Lino Banaag (Station 1, La Loma) – 0917-5325397; Supt. Pedro Sanchez (Station 2, Masambong) – 0917-5325408; Supt. Osmundo de Guzman (Station 3, Talipapa) – 0917-5325409; Supt. Crisostomo Mendoza (Station 4, Novaliches) – 0917-5325434; Supt. Virgilio Fabian (Station 5, Fairview) – 0917-5325437; Supt. Ronnie Montejo (Station 6, Batasan) – 0917-5325449; Supt. Ramon Pranada (Station 7, Cubao) – 0917-5325450; Supt. Limuel Obon (Station 8, Project 4) – 0917-5325453; Supt. Michael Macapagal (Station 9, Anonas) – 0917-5325458; Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo, Jr. (Station 10, Kamuning) – 0917-5325460; Supt. Norberto Babagay (Station 11, Galas) – 0917-5325466; Chief Insp. Ariel Capocao (OIC, Station 12, Libis) – 0917-5325467.

Pagdilao explained that they want the school administrators and students to feel the presence of their police personnel, especially the station commanders, in their areas.

According to QCPD director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega, the city plays home to a total of 268 schools and universities.

“We are aiming for zero incidence this opening of classes,” Dela Vega said.

Dela Vega also ordered his men to implement and execute security plans for tomorrow’s opening of classes, as well as mobilize intelligence units to gather information, identify and neutralize any organized crime or terror groups that may pose direct threat to the students.