MANILA, (PNA) –The National Police Commission (Napolcom) will hold a simultaneous kickoff activity in various schools in Metro Manila on Tuesday signaling the start of the 2013 National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) celebration.
The NCPW, which is observed annually every first week of September, is now on its 19th year with the theme “”Malasakit Mo ay Kailangan Upang Krimen ay Maiwasan!”
Napolcom Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U. Escueta said that the simultaneous conduct of awareness drive in crime prevention in schools will be held at the Rizal High School (Pasig City), Makati High School (Makati City), Ramon Magsaysay High School (Cubao, Quezon City), Victoriano Mapa High School (Sampaloc, Manila) and Caloocan National High School (Caloocan City) during their respective flag raising ceremony.
Escueta said that although all sectors of society are enjoined to take part in the celebration, the heightened attention and active participation of students are given emphasis because of young people’s vulnerability to fall as victims of crime and because of the increase in violent school-related incidents.
He said that crime, violence and disorder in schools, such as fatal fraternity hazing incidents, gang and fraternity wars, sexual assaults and bullying, have become national issues.
He added that according to police records, students are vulnerable to robbery hold-ups, cellphone snatching and drug abuse.
“All schools nationwide are therefore encouraged to organize their respective Student Crime Prevention Committee (SCPC). The organization of the SCPC is anchored on the belief that if the students are given the opportunity to take the lead in making their schools safer, such would benefit both the schools and students themselves and their respective communities as well,” Escueta said.
The Vice Chairman said that the Commission, through the NCPW Technical Working Committee composed of representatives from government agencies and NGOs, has lined up various programs and activities that will enhance public appreciation of crime prevention as a way of life.
He said that the organizing group has jump-started the 2013 NCPW celebration with a series of information and publicity campaign, such as radio/TV guestings, hanging of streamers, and distribution of flyers and leaflets in malls and LRT stations in Metro Manila as early as August.
“All these activities aim to draw out the active participation and involvement of the community in the government’s anti-criminality campaign for an improved socioeconomic development,” Escueta said.
Other significant activities scheduled during the weeklong celebration are the Multisectoral Dialogue at the Imelda Roces Hall, Napolcom, Makati City (September 4); Ugnayan ng Mamamayan at Pulisya sa Metro Manila in Camp Crame, Quezon City (September 5); and awarding of winners for the 2013 Search for Model PNP Families at the Imelda Roces Hall, Napolcom, Makati City (September 9), which will be part of the 47TH Napolcom Anniversary program.