Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking to enhance collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) by encouraging weekly police participation in school flag-raising ceremonies and educational activities as part of efforts to promote safer campuses and deter crime through sustained visibility and engagement. "Our goal is not to police the classroom but to build trust and provide a sense of security," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez emphasized that regular police visibility can serve as both a deterrent to crime and a bridge between law enforcers and the youth. The initiative aims to integrate police officers into school communities without interfering with the school's educational mandate. Officers participating in flag ceremonies often help lead students in reciting the "Panatang Makabayan" and engage with learners before returning to their regular assignments.
Nartatez clarified that the initiative does not involve routine patrol operations inside school grounds. Instead, the PNP seeks to strengthen coordination with DepEd officials, school administrators, and local government units to institutionalize voluntary police participation in school safety activities. This approach respects the learning environment and the authority of school officials while fostering a sense of safety and approachability among students.
The proposal came in response to a tragic incident on June 22, where a shooting inside a school in Tacloban City claimed the lives of at least three students. The PNP hopes that through increased visibility and engagement, such incidents can be deterred and students can be encouraged to report concerns early, becoming active partners in maintaining a safe school environment.
Furthermore, discussions with DepEd and other stakeholders will continue to explore practical measures that can improve campus safety while ensuring that schools remain welcoming spaces for learning. In a related development, the Philippine Army (PA) expressed willingness to support the PNP in security efforts when called upon by proper authorities. Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala stated that the PA's role would be in support of the PNP and other civilian agencies, in accordance with existing laws, emphasizing that the primary responsibility for maintaining peace and order, including securing schools, rests with the PNP.
