By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered the strengthening of security monitoring and preventive measures in schools across the region amid growing concerns over youth violence and school-related incidents.
PRO-NIR Acting Regional Director Brigadier General Romano Cardiño directed intelligence units throughout the region to intensify surveillance, community engagement and coordination with education stakeholders to identify and address potential threats before they escalate into violence.
According to PRO-NIR, intelligence personnel have been instructed to work closely with the Department of Education, school administrators, guidance counselors, barangay officials, Parent-Teacher Associations, and local government units to strengthen security measures and improve threat assessment capabilities in schools.
Authorities are also encouraging educational institutions to review their security protocols, emergency response procedures and preparedness plans to ensure a safer learning environment for students and staff.
As part of the initiative, police units will increase visibility through regular security inspections and preventive patrols in and around schools, particularly during opening and dismissal hours.
Monitoring will also be heightened in churches, transport terminals, malls, and other public gathering areas.
PRO-NIR said intelligence units have been tasked to expand social media and open-source intelligence monitoring to validate reports of threats and suspicious online activity.
However, the police clarified that assessments will be based on verified threat indicators and credible information, not solely on a person’s online activities.
This comes following recent incidents involving violence in educational institutions and the spread of unverified information on social media linking such incidents to online games, music preferences and digital content.
The regional police office also emphasized the importance of anti-bullying programs, early intervention efforts, and community-based reporting mechanisms to help identify at-risk behavior and prevent potential incidents.
To further strengthen preparedness, schools and local government units are being encouraged to conduct regular security awareness seminars, emergency response training, and simulation exercises involving students, teachers and first responders.
“School safety is a shared responsibility. Through stronger partnerships with schools, parents, local government units, and the community, we can create a secure environment where learners can focus on their education without fear,” Cardiño said.
PRO-NIR assured the public that any acts of violence within educational institutions will be met with swift investigation and appropriate legal action, while continuing to promote a whole-of-community approach to ensuring safe and secure learning environments./CCJ, WDJ