CAMP FLORENDO, La Union, Philippines — The full force of the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) has been activated for specific functions in ensuring the safety and security of students and school zones throughout the region as classes for school year 2011-2012 opens today.

For an effective conduct of the back-to-school mission, the PRO1 will employ the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) or fielding of foot and mobile patrol personnel near schools and other areas of convergence, said Chief Superintendent Franklin J.B. Bucayu.

The PRO1 Director said he also ordered all police units under his jurisdiction – including the Police Provincial Offices (PPOs) of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur – to be on full alert and be ready for the opening of classes.

“We are now on full alert in preparation for Balik-Eskwela 2011 when more than a million students in Region 1 troop back to schools,” said Bucayu.

“We have increased police visibility to keep students safe from criminal elements such as pickpockets, snatchers, swindlers, drug pushers and even reckless motorists,” he added.

Earlier, the PRO1 had drawn up its security and public safety plans relative to the school opening and instructed its subordinate units to prepare their respective implementing plans. (With a report by Freddie G. Lazaro)