Deployment of policemen to secure schools in Western Visayas is ongoing. 

Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo (Sonny) Angara has requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen police visibility in schools in order to pad further incidents of violence involving students. 

Incidents of stabbing and brawls have ensued in Iloilo City and in other areas of Panay Island that involved students.

“Nagpadala tayo ng directive sa lower units natin na ma-enhance pa ang ating police visibility sa iba’t-ibang schools sa kanilang area of jurisdiction,” said Major Lailyn Sensil, spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO) 6.

At the Iloilo National High School, it employs its own security guard aside from policemen especially on rush hours in the morning and in the afternoon.

“First three weeks nang nag-start ang klase, may mga case na may mga kabataan sa labas na nagbabantay, nanghihingi (limos). During that time nag-request na tayo ng police visibility. So nang sinabi ni Secretary Angara regarding sa police visibility na ma-enhance sa schools, may naka-duty na dito from La Paz (PNP),” Delorah Cecilia Fantillo, principal of Iloilo National High School, said.

Aside from PNP, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued an order directed at barangays to coordinate with public schools for the deployment of barangay tanods (village watchmen) to assist in manning the traffic at school zones and to help impose public order and safety.  

“We are thankful with that. Malaking tulong sa atin na ma-ensure ang peace and order sa paaralan in order to protect ang ating learners and personnel,” Hernani Escullar Jr., spokesperson of DepEd 6, said.