MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is deploying more than 5,000 police officers across the region to ensure peace and order during the opening of classes in schools on Aug. 22.

NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, said Wednesday night a total of 5,233 police personnel including force multipliers will be deployed in 1,212 schools in the region.

Aside from the establishment of 440 police assistance desks, police officers are also conducting a series of coordination meetings with school officials to discuss security measures for students.

The deployment includes 1,033 personnel in police assistance desks, 384 motorcycle patrollers, 38 Explosives and Ordnance Division/K9 personnel, 74 bus marshals, 90 marshals in transportation hubs and terminals, 318 personnel in “Libreng Sakay” areas and 3,296 street patrollers.

Some 149 trucks and mobile cars are also on standby to provide assistance to stranded students.

“Contingencies to beef up our deployment need basis depending on the situation on the ground are in place. Our reserved personnel are geared to augment our forces anytime,” said Estomo.

The Metro Manila top cop added that constant visitations, police visibility operations, and coordination are also being undertaken with school officials to build continuing trust and strengthen collaboration towards the attainment of a safe, orderly and peaceful resumption of classes this year.

He said concerned NCRPO units and offices are set to convene to iron out flaws in the deployment plan.

“We wanted to ensure readiness to address all foreseeable circumstances and to immediately respond should our presence and assistance be necessary. We owe it to the returning students, teachers, and parents to give this year’s Balik Eskwela our deepest commitment considering that we have not yet fully eradicated the dangers pressed by the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) virus on top of our anti-criminality campaign,” Estomo said.

Meanwhile, Estomo also said he will work on intensifying random checkpoints and police visibility in Metro Manila.

“I am recalling all the motorcycles in Metro Manila because aside from foot patrol, we will equip them with motorcycles for patrol as well. If we have what are called random checkpoints, we also have random police visibility to achieve my battlecry which is SAFE NCRPO––the police must be Seen, Appreciated, Felt by the people through the Extraordinary actions of the police. When we do that foot patrol, they will definitely feel it. What does extraordinary mean? You are asleep, we are awake. We will sacrifice for the safety of the people in Metro Manila. It’s that simple),” Estomo told reporters.

While admitting that the NCRPO has limited resources, Estomo expressed confidence that the local government units in Metro Manila will support their security efforts. (PNA)