Velasco personally made the rounds at the Rizal High School in Pasig City to ensure that security measures have been enforced by the Eastern Police District (EPD), headed by Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento.
Rizal High School, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest high school in the world, has approximately 20,000 to 25,000 students enrolled annually.
The Metro police chief had instructed district directors and station commanders in the metropolis, in line with "Oplan Balik Paaralan," to coordinate with school administrators and local government units to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on the onset of classes.
Under "Oplan Balik Paaralan," foot and mobile patrols have been deployed to schools and universities, transportation terminals and other places frequented by students, teachers, and school employees in order to prevent criminals from preying on them.
Magic Eye operatives have also been dispatched to monitor robbery and snatching syndicates operating around the vicinities of schools in Metro Manila.
Likewise, Velasco has tasked the different units of the Metro Manila police to exercise measures to thwart the outbreak of fraternity-related incidents and further enhance police visibility in kidnapping incident-prone schools.
In compliance with the directive of President Arroyo, "Oplan Balik Paaralan" has been tied up with Project METRO, an inter-agency effort spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) under Secretary Richard Gordon for the attainment of the goal of the WOW Philippines Project. The program is aimed in converting Metro Manila into a pilot area of peace and progress, which would eventually reflect on the country as a world-class tourist destination.
The NCRPO’s Police Officers Magalang, Malinis, and Mabilis have been named ambassadors for the WOW Philippines project and are regularly featured in Intramuros, one of the primary tourist spots in Metro Manila.
Pasig City Mayor Soledad Eusebio was on hand for the inspection where the measures put into place by the NCRPO showcase the strong partnership forged between the police and the community.
Barangay tanods and members of the 160,000-strong Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators (PADPAO) have been tapped by the NCRPO as "force multipliers" to reinforce the Metro Manila police.
"With only 17,000 men at our disposal, we need all the help we can get to ensure the safety of Metro Manilans," General Velasco said.
He pointed out that the presence of "force multipliers" is already an assurance that help is on the way in times of police emergencies.