Manila, Sept. 20 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing best practices by neighboring countries to boost safety in schools, including banning of gadgets, and deployment of community security forces.

The PNP is ready to be a part of the Joint School Safety Task Force proposed by the Department of Education (DepEd), which will conduct site-specific security audits in public schools, according to a news release over the weekend.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said there are more than 42,000 villages and their watchers (tanod) may act as force multipliers in securing some 49,000 public and private schools.

Nartatez said the PNP would also study security measures discussed during the ASEANAPOL (Association of Southeas...