Metro cops on alert for start of classes

MANILA, Philippines - The 16,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) was placed on heightened alert yesterday, a week before the opening of classes on June 15.

NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales said they would now intensify anti-crime operations by conducting raids on known lairs of criminals to send them “on the run” and prevent them from victimizing students.

“We are now in the mode of flushing out criminals from their known safehouses,” Rosales told The STAR. “We will send them (criminals) behind bars as soon as possible to lessen their chances of striking against students during the opening of classes.”

Under the heightened alert, all leave, furloughs and rest and recreation by policemen from the NCRPO will be cancelled.

Rosales said at least 75 percent of policemen would be deployed in the vicinity of schools and universities in Metro Manila to secure and guide students reporting for their first day of classes.

The NCRPO would erect Public Assistance Centers (PACs) in the schools and universities to act on complaints and assist students and parents regarding various types of inquiries.

The policemen manning PACs would be augmented by members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), the NCRPO chief said.

Rosales would also sit down this week with elected local officials, barangay chairmen and other stakeholders to maintain the flow of traffic around schools on June 15.

While police security concentration is on campuses, Rosales said elements of the Motorcycle Anti-Street Crime Operatives (MASCO) would be patrolling the streets against criminals involved in high-profile crimes.

Rosales directed his five district directors and 37 station commanders to identify crime-prone areas of their jurisdictions and implement measures to prevent criminals from striking, especially against students.

He also ordered a massive servicing of arrest and search warrants so criminals would be accounted for before the opening of classes.