The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is prepared to deploy personnel inside private schools in Metro Manila upon the request of school administrators as authorities step up security measures following recent incidents of violence in schools.
According to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort, newly appointed NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said the police force’s general direction is to prevent similar incidents from happening, with early detection remaining key to school security.
Abrahano stressed the importance of constant coordination between police and school communities to identify potential threats at an early stage.
He said awareness among parents, teachers and students is also crucial, particularly in monitoring online violence and what he described as nihilistic grooming.
Parents, in particular, should remain aware of their children’s online activities and presence, he said.
Abrahano also emphasized the need to train school communities on how to respond if a violent incident occurs, saying preparedness should complement prevention and early detection.
NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the police are ready to deploy personnel inside private schools in the capital if school officials request additional security assistance.
The NCRPO has already increased police deployment around schools and is coordinating with school administrators and local governments to strengthen security measures.
Although the NCRPO has yet to receive an official request for additional security assistance from private schools, police have begun taking preventive measures. The NCRPO is also prepared to assist schools with security inspections, including the deployment of metal detectors at school entrances.
The heightened security measures follow the recent shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University that left two students dead.
The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to lead a nationwide safety drill on the first week of September as authorities seek to strengthen school preparedness following fatal shooting incidents in Tacloban and Zamboanga within a span of less than two months.
The NCRPO said police presence and coordination with schools will continue as authorities work to prevent further violence in educational institutions.
