NCRPO to deploy 11,000 cops as classes start

MANILA, Philippines - At least 11,000 policemen would be fielded in the schools and the streets of Metro Manila during the opening of classes on June 1.

Barely two weeks before the opening of classes, Metro police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales ordered his five district directors to conduct raids on known criminal lairs and on crime-prone areas of the metropolis.

“We would vigorously serve search warrants and conduct saturation drives to place behind bars wanted criminals to maintain a peaceful atmosphere during the opening of classes,” he said, noting that his five police districts are keeping records of known criminal lairs in the metropolis.

Rosales also ordered increased police visibility around schools in Metro Manila on June 1 to prevent criminals from victimizing students, especially those who are strangers in the metropolis.

Police would also augment security at the Light Railway Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) with the expected influx of commuters on June 1.

“We want the opening of classes to be peaceful and orderly and the students can move everywhere freely because their police are just within reach,” Rosales said.

Aside from maintaining peace and order, Rosales said the police would also assist in easing traffic in the vicinity of schools on June 1.

He said he would meet with management and security officials of different Chinese schools in the metropolis to secure their cooperation in the campaign against kidnap-for-ransom syndicates.