Bullying in schools may be reported to PNP's 911 hotline, says Torre

Cases of bullying in schools may be reported via the Philippine National Police's 911 hotline, PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said on Monday.

According to Mark Makalalad's report on Super Radyo dzBB, Torre ordered police commanders to be on the lookout for street crimes and bullying as classes resumed across the country.

Torre said incidents of bullying may be reported to the 911 hotline, and the local police station with jurisdiction shall get in touch with school authorities.

"We are coordinating with the schools. Sisiguraduhin natin na walang bullying," Torre told reporters.

Torre said police units have also been ordered to look after school children, who may fall victim to robbers or con artists who might take their valuables, such as cellphones. 

Schools across the country reopened on Monday, June 16, marking the official start of School Year 2025–2026 with the Department of Education (DepEd) expecting around 27 million enrollees from preschool to senior high school.

"All systems go po ang lahat sa pagbubukas ng ating klase," DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a Viber message. 

(All systems are go for the opening of classes.)

As millions of students trooped back to classrooms, the country’s education system continues to grapple with long-standing challenges, including learning gaps, infrastructure backlogs, and overcrowded facilities.

One of the most urgent problems remains the massive shortage of classrooms, with the backlog now at 165,000 nationwide. Education officials earlier admitted that, at the current rate of construction, it could take up to 55 years to eliminate the backlog. –NB, GMA Integrated News