IN-PERSON CLASSES RESUME IN METRO MANILA

Police stationed outside participating schools to ensure order

POLICE stood guard to ensure peace and order as the pilot run of face-toface classes in 28 schools resumed in Metro Manila yesterday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Dionardo Carlos said they were dispatched based on the list of schools participating in the resumption of in-person classes, the Philstar.com portal reported.

“The resumption of face-toface classes is not new to us anymore since other schools have started this last month.

“We just have to follow the template and remind police to limit themselves from going inside school premises unless there is a request for security assistance.”

Students, parents and teachers were reminded that their focus should be to observe health protocols, Carlos said.

Recently, the PNP were crticised after photos of police officers with firearms, standing guard inside a classroom, where children were attending classes, went viral on social media.

The incident prompted the Department of Education to issue a statement, reminding school heads that “schools, as a general rule, should be free from the presence of armed combatants, whether they are from government forces or armed groups”.

EPA PIC A student (seated, centre) undergoing a Covid-19 antigen test, as her mother (right) looks on, before attending an in-person class at an elementary school in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, yesterday.