President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance police presence in schools has gained broad support from parents and students.
In a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro showed video clips of several parents and students from Ramon Magsaysay High School expressing gratitude to the administration for initiatives to keep schools safe and protected.
“Mas maganda kasi at least peaceful. ‘Yung mga estudyante marunong silang matakot. Pero now, (nandito) ‘yung mga pulis natin dito, especially nandito pa si General Torre, talagang peaceful,” one parent shared.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III reported to President Marcos on Monday, during the opening of the 2025–2026 school year, actions taken on the President’s orders to prioritize student safety.
Also on Monday, Torre visited Ramon Magsaysay High School in Quezon City to oversee deployments of police personnel, promote the 911 emergency hotline, and explain the PNP’s five-minute response time initiative.
Two parents said they feel that their children are now safer with the presence of policemen near schools.
Students echoed these sentiments, saying the presence of police officers gave them confidence and a sense of safety as they returned to school.
“Na-feel po namin na secured po kami since ang Ramon Magsaysay is napupuntahan po ng Police Chief at saka magiging masaya po at ligtas ang mga estudyante,” one student said.
The PNP deployed over 37,000 police officers to monitor thousands of public and private schools across the nation. More than 5,000 police assistance desks will also be set up in the vicinity of schools.
In addition to strengthening school safety, Castro said the PNP also warned drug dealers and militant groups against attempting to recruit students.
Castro said the PNP is committed to intensifying its anti-illegal drugs campaign strategy and community-based policing while upholding human rights.
The increased police visibility in schools is part of a broader initiative dubbed “Oplan Balik-Eskwela,” which aims to ensure student safety, address traffic concerns, and strengthen the partnership between law enforcement and local communities.
President Marcos earlier said that his ultimate goal is to assure parents that their children are safe and protected while in school. | PND
