ILOILO City – In anticipation of the June 16 school opening, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is launching a comprehensive security and traffic management plan across Western Visayas to safeguard more than a million students returning to in-person classes.
PRO-6 spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis said the regional police command is mobilizing mobile and foot patrols around school zones, especially areas expected to experience high pedestrian and vehicular congestion.
“Our security plan is in place. We are strategically deploying personnel in areas with anticipated heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic, especially around public schools,” Solis said.
Beyond police deployment, PRO-6 is enlisting the support of barangay tanods and local officials to ensure crowd control and safe movement of students, especially in interior barangays where public schools are less accessible.
“We’re not just relying on the police. We are partnering with local government units (LGUs) and tapping barangay officials and tanods to assist us,” he added.
Solis emphasized that the initiative is not purely about law enforcement but also about engaging communities in the collective task of ensuring safety.
“We want to create a safer environment not only through police visibility but through the active involvement of local leaders and citizens. That is how we strengthen public trust and responsiveness,” he said.
He also reminded the public that personal vigilance remains key despite the increased police presence.
“Even with the presence of law enforcement, we urge parents, students, and guardians to remain alert. Know your surroundings, secure your belongings, and be mindful of suspicious activity,” Solis said. “This is a shared responsibility, we are all partners in safety.”
Deployment strategies will remain flexible and responsive to the specific security needs of each city and municipality, with adjustments made based on real-time assessments of high-risk areas./PN
