PRO-7 Ready For Balik Eskwela

.. CEBU CITY, Cebu - The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has already mapped out security plans for the arrival of thousands of students from the provinces and to secure schools around the region when classes open this Monday, June 4. Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat, chief of the PRO 7 Regional Directorial Staff, said orders have been issued for Balik Eskwela 2012 as early as the first week of May. The order calls for all police units to implement their plans for the opening of classes in their areas of responsibility as needed. PRO 7 will be on heightened alert next week with around 8,000 policemen deployed throughout the region. Under the alert status, all leave privileges of policemen are temporarily canceled to provide maximum police presence. Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) deputy for operations Supt. Arnel Banzon, said the CCPO is currently focused on deploying police elements in areas where many schools are located. He also said the office is assuring optimum police visibility at the Cebu port area and at the South Bus Terminal in anticipation of the influx of students coming in from outside Cebu. Traffic is also a top priority of the CCPO. Banzon said the office has divided the city into three sectors namely north, south, and central sectors for easy traffic management. The police will also be coordinating with the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management. Meanwhile, Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) deputy for operations James Goforth said there will be a total of 46 Police Assistance Centers scattered in strategic areas in the city on the opening of classes. He said the MCPO needs to monitor 50 public schools and 71 private schools, along with an estimated 55,000 students all under the office's scope. The MCPO will also be assigning police operatives near malls and recreational areas including Internet cafés and billiard halls where students tend to gather. Goforth said efficient coordination with school authorities and other concerned agencies like the Department of Education and the Bureau of Fire Protection is also necessary to ensure peace and order for the students. ..