BY KRISTINE CATAMORA & ANGEL NONOL/DSSC Interns
THE DAVAO City Police Office has ramped up security, deploying 90% of its personnel to the streets, particularly in schools, to curb bullying, violence, and gang-related incidents.
DCPO spokesperson PMAJ Teresita Gaspan said more than 100 newly graduated police officers have been added to the force, and most of them are assigned to schools with populations exceeding 1,500 students.
She noted that many of these large schools lack sufficient security guards, prompting the police to step in and assist.
“We are helping to prevent incidents similar to those that happened in schools outside our region,” Gaspan said.
Despite recent disturbances in schools, Gaspan confirmed that no knives have been recovered so far during their initial checks.
She attributed this to strict security measures, including a “No ID, No Entry” policy that applies to visitors and guardians picking up students. Bag inspections are also required for everyone entering school premises, a protocol likewise implemented in private schools.
Gaspan pointed to a deeper factor in preventing bullying and violence. “Basic social institutions start with the family,” she emphasized, stressing that parents play the biggest role in shaping a child’s behavior.
Building on this, the police continue to conduct symposiums in public and private schools to educate students, parents, and staff on the anti-bullying law, victim support, and available resources. She emphasized that bullying prevention requires sustained, ongoing effort rather than a single assembly or activity.
Alongside these initiatives, Gaspan confirmed that police met with school principals and administrators last week to address concerns over gang activity. The matter will remain part of ongoing coordination conferences, with city governments also taking part in addressing student safety concerns.
