PNP full alert as F2F classes resume

Police forces in Metro Manila remain on full alert until Friday as the full face-to-face classes resume, Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Tuesday.

Under full alert status, police personnel is not allowed to go on leave.

"Our concentration now of our deployment particularly this is what we hope to start face-to-face classes here in Metro Manila. So our full alert status will remain until 4 November, in anticipation of the beginning of face-to-face classes," Fajardo said in a television interview.

Fajardo said that police assistance desks will be implemented near the schools, to provide security not only to the parents and students but the teaching and other school staff as well.

DepEd Order 44 series, signed by Vice President and Secretary Sara Duterte on 17 October, directs all public schools to implement five-day physical classes starting 2 November.

Private schools may implement full face-to-face classes or continue with blended learning.

Through DO 44, DepEd pointed out the importance of F2F classes as the "best option for basic education."

"(DepEd) maintains its confidence in the benefits of holding in-person classes to promote academic development and the overall mental health and well-being of our learners," the DO said.

Alert status

Fajardo said that the regional directors are given authority to decide on their areas of responsibility with regard to the heightened alert status and how they will be implemented, since the coming of the All Saints' and All Souls' day commemoration.

"Our field commanders, particularly our regional directors, are given full discretion to extend our heightened alert status to make sure that despite our continued focus on observing the Undas can be assured that we have assigned police assistance desks in schools to support students, teachers and their parents in the formal opening of our face-to-face classes," Fajardo said.

Fajardo also admitted that while they are stretched with providing security in cemeteries and columbaria, the expected return of those who went to their provinces and ensuring the safety of the school opening, they are getting help from the force multipliers such as the officials of every village.