Manila, June 28 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has directed all regional offices and stations to work closely with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education in securing campuses and major school activities.

"We encourage schools to coordinate with local police stations before conducting major off-campus activities so that proper security assessments, emergency response planning, traffic management, and coordination with rescue and medical services can be undertaken," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a news release on Sunday.

"Prevention begins with strong partnership and advance planning."

Nartatez said the police force is intensifying collaboration with schools and local auth...