PNP deploys over 55,000 cops for June 8 class opening

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it has deployed more than 55,000 security personnel under the Oplan Balik-Eskwela for School Year 2026–2027.

This includes 28,751 PNP personnel, 4,079 personnel from other units, and 22,677 force multipliers from partner agencies and community organizations.

“This comprehensive deployment includes organic police officers dedicated to high-visibility campus patrols, traffic management, and the manning of Police Assistance Desks, reinforced by auxiliary forces and community partners,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

He added that 9,319 police assistance desks have been established in campuses and clustered schools across the country.

Meanwhile, 9,525 mobile patrol units will be deployed to strengthen police visibility and response capabilities in school zones.

“Rest assured, this proactive school security measure is seamlessly integrated into our Enhanced Managing of Police Operations, ensuring our regular anti-crime campaigns, intelligence operations, and neighborhood safety initiatives remain completely uncompromised and fully operational,” Nartatez said.

He also assured parents and guardians of student security.

“A peaceful school opening is a shared responsibility, and we encourage you to actively partner with our officers on the ground, confident that the PNP is fully vigilant and ready to protect our campuses as sacred sanctuaries for learning,” Nartatez said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) activated its nationwide Oplan Balik Eskwela program for the School Year 2026-2027 from June 1 to 11 to streamline enrollment, address public concerns, and coordinate preparations in schools nationwide.

The opening of classes is set on Monday, June 8.

DepEd also launched a nationwide school readiness tracking system aimed at identifying infrastructure, sanitation, technology, and learning material gaps in public schools under the “Project Handa” platform.

Monitoring key indicators related to physical facilities, learner support, and instructional readiness to help education officials determine where resources and interventions are most needed, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative is intended to improve data collection and guide decision-making as schools prepare to welcome students for the new academic year.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday, DepEd Assistant Secretary Jocelyn Ansaya clarified that classes will proceed as scheduled on June 8, despite reports of a possible class suspension.

“Fake news yan (class suspension). Sabi nga ni DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, handang-handa na tayo sa DepEd para i-welcome ang bata at sabihin sa kanila na ang kanilang eskwelahan ay handa na, ito ay malinis, ito ay maayos, at ligtas sila dito,” Andaya said. “Tuloy na tuloy na sa June ang pasukan.”

(The class suspension reports are fake news. As Secretary Sonny Angara said, we at DepEd are fully prepared to welcome the students and assure them that their schools are ready, clean, organized, and safe. The opening of classes in June will go on as planned.)

DepEd has so far logged nearly 26 million enrollees for School Year 2026-2027 and is expecting more students to enroll once classes open.

It said approximately 26.4 million are expected to enroll for School Year 2026-2027, which is about the same as last year's figure. —KG, GMA News