QC cops brace for schools opening

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ordered yesterday the deployment of police personnel in Quezon City public schools starting June 17, the first day of the new schoolyear.

Belmonte cited the need for police visibility and assistance around the schools’ perimeter areas in a bid to protect the students from criminal elements.

The mayor directed City School Superintendent Aquilina Rivas to coordinate with Central Police District Director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Tor to determine which schools are to be prioritized in the deployment of police personnel.

"Our purpose is to ensure that all students are safe from criminal elements such as snatchers and pickpockets," Belmonte said.

Meanwhile, about 96 open spaces in Quezon City have been identified as possible school sites where Belmonte has ordered the construction of additional school buildings to accommodate the city’s increasing student population.

Among the open spaces identified by the parks development office are located in Kingspont I ( Barangay Bagbag), Teresa Heights Subdivision along Zabarte Road, Fairview Park, Commonwealth Heights Subdivision (Barangay Commonwealth), Queensland Subdivision (Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon) and Sacred Heart Village (Barangay Pasong Putik).