Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed all police units to secure prior coordination with school administrators before conducting any inside operations, aligning with updated Department of Education (DepEd) rules.
Designed to protect learners, the DepEd guidelines govern police presence, activities, and firearm protocols inside educational institutions during standard campus engagements.
Nartatez emphasized that proper coordination is crucial to strengthening child protection measures while building trust and confidence among students toward the police force.
“We respect the guidelines issued by DepEd. Our personnel will comply with the requirements on proper attire, coordination and the carrying or display of firearms inside school premises,” said Nartatez.
“The safety and well-being of our children remain our priority. Police presence in schools should provide a sense of security and partnership, not fear or intimidation,” he added.
The directive comes after DepEd Camarines Norte issued Memorandum No. 315, series of 2026, which mandates that visiting police officers, military personnel, and other uniformed officers wear Type C uniforms or non-combat attire.
The memorandum strictly prohibits the display of firearms and other weapons within classrooms and learning spaces, while also banning armed patrols, checkpoints, and tactical enforcement operations inside school compounds.
Under the Camarines Norte protocol, all police activities—including safety briefings, anti-drug awareness sessions, disaster drills, and community outreach efforts—must be pre-coordinated with the school head and endorsed by the Schools Division Office.