NCRPO creates protocol to respond to bomb threats in schools

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, said the protocol includes the designation of a contact person or marshal in different schools to immediately act and respond to bomb threat calls. (File Photo: PIO NCRPO/Facebook)

MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has established a protocol on how to respond to bomb threats as part of security measures it prepared for the upcoming school opening in Metro Manila on June 3.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, said the protocol includes the designation of a contact person or marshal in different schools to immediately act and respond to bomb threat calls.

Eleazar said they have also alerted their explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) units as part of the protocol to secure schools in Metro Manila.

He said the EOD will conduct the search and, if needed, will disarm, control or detonate the explosives.

Eleazar urged the public to stay calm since most of the previous bomb threats in Metro Manila turned out to be hoaxes.

“They should not panic as everything possible is being done to neutralize these threats,” Eleazar told the Philippine News Agency.

He said 7,153 police officers and personnel will be deployed in NCR to make sure that no untoward incidents will happen during the during school opening.

“I would like to rally everyone to close in on the vicinities of these schools. We have to secure all our pupils and students from criminals, such as pickpockets and snatchers,” he said.

Eleazar said police marshals will also be deployed to secure passengers of buses, UV Express, taxis and jeepneys.

“We will be everywhere, especially our police detectives, who would secure students and other commuters inside buses, and passenger jeepneys,” Eleazar said.

“All police personnel assigned in public assistance desks should coordinate with the Department of Education school authorities and local government officials,” he added.