MANILA, Philippines — At least 37,000 police forces are ready to secure students as classes open on June 16, 2025, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.

Part of the deployment included 5,000 troops who will manage police assistance desks.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said police officers will step up visibility patrols in all roads leading to and from schools to secure parents, students, and school personnel.

"We are ready (for the opening of classes). We will be deploying 37,000 police officers to ensure the safety of our students on June 16," said Fajardo.

PNP chief Maj. Gen Nicolas Torre III assured the public of police protection, vowing to implement swift and quick response time.

Torre said he expects police officers to always stay tuned on their radios and seek guidance on where to respond based on the complaints that the police receive via the 911 hotline and other digital communication devices.

Meanwhile, The Highway Patrol Group issued additional 733 two-way handheld radios to its personnel to be able to effectively respond to emergency situations in compliance with Torre's "swift and responsive" public service initiative.

Torre also introduced an eight-hour shift in the tour of duty of policemen to give quality time for personnel after intense workload.

He said the presence of uniformed policemen and police cars with blinkers on the road and communities also serves as crime deterrence.

On the other hand, Fajardo said that more police mobile patrollers would be deployed near schools.

Source: The Manila Times.