The Philippine National Police (PNP) is exploring the creation of specialized help desks to handle bullying-related complaints, reinforcing a broader government campaign to ensure campus safety.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Thursday the initiative follows directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla for state agencies to secure school environments.

Nartatez said bullying requires immediate intervention to keep behavior from escalating into more serious criminal offenses.

The proposed help desks would complement recent Department of Education safety initiatives, which include a proposed mandatory school bag inspection policy and the creation of new public school counselor positions.

To recall, the Civil Service Commission recently approved the counseling posts to expand mental health services for students.

Under the PNP plan, the anti-bullying desks would be staffed by personnel from the existing Women and Children Protection Desk, which operates in every police station nationwide.

“Our coordination with DepEd is continuously being done to provide the best protection to our learners and to make sure that all schools are safe and conducive to learning,” Nartatez said.