5T cops to be fielded during opening of classes
More than 5,000 policemen in Western Visayas will be deployed on the field during the opening of classes second week of June. In Iloilo City, at least one police personnel would be detailed in every school and university.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas said policemen will be deployed particularly in schools, universities, streets, malls, terminals and other converging areas as contained under the "Oplan Balik Eskuela" of the Philippine National Police.
The cops will be fielded in the different areas of convergence to deter commission of crimes as the school opens. Most of the prevalent cases during the opening of classes are pickpockets, bag slashing and hold-ups. "There will also be an intense police visibility in the region's key economic points," said Cuevas.
The 7-9-7 scheme or the three shifts duty of policemen will still continue, Cuevas said. The 7-9-7 scheme assures maximum police visibility in the field and their respective police station. The mere presence of police will inhibit the commission of crime, said Cuevas.
Iloilo City Police Office Director, Senior Supt. Wesley Barayuga said they are observing two different ratio of cops to persons. The ratio during nighttime between the cop and persons is 1:800 and during daytime 1:1,200.
The ratio of cops to person decrease during nighttime as majority of the Ilonggos would go home while others choose to stay outside and enjoy their night life.