Cops fine-tune two-pronged preparations for school opening

With just one week to go before classes start on June 15, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is fine-tuning its two-pronged preparations for the event. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said that while they have formed a plan on security, they still have to coordinate with local and school officials on traffic. “Nagko-concentrate tayo sa dalawang bagay, security at traffic (Our concentration for the opening of classes now is on two things – security and traffic)," Espina said in an interview on government-run dzRB radio. He said the security aspect involves protecting students and parents from criminals such as muggers and drug pushers especially in school zones. Police in Metro Manila had said they plan to go on heightened alert a week before classes start June 15. “Security is for students not to be victimized by snatchers and other criminals," he said. On the other hand, Espina admitted preparations for traffic may be a nightmare for the police. He said that while police have to coordinate with school authorities in managing traffic inside campuses, they also have to coordinate with local government units in managing traffic in the immediate vicinity of the schools. “Kailangan natin mag-coordinate sa loob kasi baka magkaroon ng spillover sa labas. So coordination sa loob, ang sa labas with traffic and local government units (We must coordinate with school authorities for traffic inside the school premises, and with local government units for traffic outside the schools. We don’t want traffic spilling out of the schools)," he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV