POLICE TO KEEP TIGHTER WATCH IN PROV'L SCHOOLS

Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) will closely watch major
public schools and colleges throughout the province as school
officially starts in all levels today.

Senior Superintendent Melvin Mongcal, IPPO director, said a more
extensive campaign will be conducted in schools with a serious
warning out on the students: to stay away from illegal drug use and
drug trade.

Mongcal also warned incoming students on the expected recruitment of
school-based gangs or fraternities.

Yet no direct threats are imminent to incoming students, Sr. Supt.
Mongcal clarified saying that the IPPO's moves are all geared towards
ensuring a safer school environment in government schools and colleges.

As such, an order is out in all police offices of Iloilo's 42 towns
and one component city to intensify police visibility alongside the
standing directive to keep a tighter watch on all school campuses
here.

The IPPO's drive against illegal drug trade and proliferation has
since been the same priority of Capitol's anti-illegal drug czar,
Board Member Angelo Briones. Activated for years now since Briones'
leadership in Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay are anti-drug councils
all over 1,721 Iloilo barangays. Briones as current chair of the
Sanggunian Panlalawigan's Committee on Public Order and Safety has
also conducted school-based advocacies including the "Say No to
Drugs" drive.

Gang recruitment on the other hand will also see a more aggressive
move from the IPPO.

"From the recruitment they will move to initiation then trouble
begins," Sr. Supt. Mongcal quipped while calling for the students and
the parents to be forewarned on this.