PNP ready for in-face classes

Carlos said the PNP will keep a limited presence outside the schools but will be on hand to quickly respond to any emergency and call for assistance by school authorities

All unit commanders in the National Capital Region (NCR) have been ordered to increase police visibility as the pilot implementation of in-school classes starts today across Metro Manila.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said they will do their best to keep students and school personnel away from harm.

He said the resumption of the face-to-face learning setup is not new anymore for the PNP since other schools have already started in-school classes last November.

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

Carlos said the PNP will keep a limited presence outside the schools but will be on hand to quickly respond to any emergency and call for assistance by school authorities.

He urged students, parents and guardians to practice the minimum health protocols against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) like wearing mask, physical distancing and frequent hand washing.

The PNP chief also assured local government units and health authorities that cops will be on hand to ensure adherence to the minimum health protocols within schools.

In another development, Carlos has ordered a probe into the 2 December shooting incident inside the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

“We are alarmed by this act of violence displayed inside a campus. I have ordered the concerned police unit to resolve this case at the soonest possible time,” he said.

The victim, Aripodin Mamacuna, 21, was walking inside the campus when a group of men beat him up. Onlookers tried to rescue Mamacuna but they were shot at by the attackers.

An off-duty cop responded to the incident and engaged the attackers in a gunfight, hitting one in the arm.

The police identified the suspects as Macaraya Saripada Armama, Banjo Saripada, and Rakim Saripada, all of whom are residents of Barangay Rapasun, Marawi City.

Motive for the attack is still being established, Carlos said.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALFONSO PADILLA FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_al Sprucing up The lawn of the iconic Cultural Center of the Philippines gets some tender loving care from maintenance personnel armed with grass trimmers. With Alert Level 2, the CCP may soon go back to normal, too, in showcasing art shows, films and musical performances.