Dad wants schools to submit list of events to PNP

CEBU, Philippines —  A neophyte Cebu City councilor has proposed an ordinance requiring all schools, universities, and other institutions of learning within the city to submit a list of their calendar of activities and events for the incoming school year to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Sponsored by Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa, the proposed ordinance aims for the police to employ units or personnel for every event in schools and universities based on the submitted list.

The measure entitled “Anti-Gun Violence and School Safety Ordinance of Cebu City” was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling, as well as Committee on Education for review.

“There is a need to afford greater protection to our schools, teachers, students, and their parents and families from the threats of guns violence,” read the proposed ordinance.

Subject to the limitations provided in the Constitution and relevant laws, the ordinance shall be the primary policy for public order and safety to protect schools and universities from all forms of lawlessness, criminality, and other threats to peace and order.

Section 6 provides that schools are hereby mandated to submit its calendar of activities for the academic year to the CCPO and PNP within 15 days before the beginning of every school year.

Schools are also mandated to submit a list and designated time of school events and the expected number of attendees to the CCPO and PNP at least one week before the said event.

Meanwhile, the CCPO and PNP shall conform to all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances relating to due process, privacy, health and safety; deploy a proportionate number of units or personnel to the number of attendees for every school event; monitor the use and carrying of firearms in compliance with Republic Act No. 10591 and its implementing rules and regulations at every school event; and exercise due diligence in securing all areas that might be reasonably compromised and considered as potential threats to schools and universities.

The two agencies shall also conduct periodic meetings to review operational concerns of security within schools in the city.

Once approved, schools covered by the ordinance are mandated to cooperate with the CCPO and PNP in reviewing and approving all security plans prior to the implementation and commencement of security operations for every school event. — GMR (FREEMAN)