ILOILO City – Students are vulnerable to illegal drugs, both the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 agree.
As schools reopen, the police and PDEA are resuming the drug war in campuses.
The focus of the campaign is on demand reduction, according to PDEA regional director Wardley Getalla.
Through lectures on the ill-effects of prohibited substances, both PDEA and the police hope to convince youngsters to stay away from illegal drugs.
“We will be posting personnel in schools in close coordination with the police,” said Getalla.
A total of 4,574 public schools in Western Visayas are welcoming today 1,810,946 enrollees from kindergarten to senior high school for school year 2018-2019.
Around a thousand police personnel in this city are keeping the resumption of classes peaceful and orderly.
“In every school there will be a police assistance desk manned by at least two police officers,” said Senior Henry Biñas, city police director.
Data from the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6’s Policy, Planning and Research Division showed 81,956 enrolees in public elementary and high schools in Iloilo City.
Oplan Ligtas Balik Eskwela of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) calls for maximum police visibility.
“Policemen are ready to secure thousands of students in public schools,” said Biñas.
Some 700 augmentation policemen from the Police Regional Office 6 are helping the 400-strong ICPO police force.
“We have intelligence personnel, too, monitoring the movements of drug peddlers. We know students are vulnerable to illegal drugs,” said Biñas.
Aside from schools, bus and jeepney terminals and even seaports would also be posted with policemen.
“Be wary of thieves and swindlers. Take good care of your valuables,” Biñas advised students.
Do not hesitate to seek help from policemen, he added.
Getalla, meanwhile, said, “We need the participation of barangay officials and school personnel to help keep students away from illegal drugs.”
DepEd data showed a total of 4,574 public schools in Western Visayas – 3,402 elementary; 677 junior high school, and 493 senior high schools./PN
