Around 37,000 police officers will be deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of students as schools open this month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Saturday.

In a radio interview, PNP spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said these officers will be assigned to protect students, teachers, and school personnel during the start of the 2025-2026 school year in June.

“We are prepared… We will deploy around 37,000 police officers,” Fajardo said.

She added that 5,000 officers will be assigned to police assistance desks in schools, with additional mobile and foot patrols near school premises.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has set June 16 as the start of classes nationwide, marking a return to the traditional school calendar before the pandemic, as stated in DepEd Order No. 12, Series of 2025. The academic year will run until 31 March 2026, covering 197 school days, including End-of-School-Year ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) has ramped up security measures in the region ahead of classes. PRO-10 Director Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman ordered maximum deployment of personnel in key locations such as schools, transport hubs, airports, seaports, shopping centers, and business districts where large crowds are expected.