PNP Chief Nartatez Applauds Enhanced School Partnership for Youth Crime Prevention
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed strong support for a newly strengthened partnership between the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Department of Education (DepEd), aimed at intensifying crime prevention efforts among the youth through educational institutions.
Proactive Approach to Youth Safety
In a statement issued on Sunday, March 22, 2026, PNP acting chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that this collaboration significantly reinforces the critical role of schools in promoting discipline and preventing youth involvement in criminal activities. "This collaboration is a strong step forward because it strengthens the preventive approach in schools. It aligns education and law enforcement for long-term impact, especially in preventing potential crimes involving the youth," Nartatez stated.
The top police official highlighted that the partnership builds upon existing programs that integrate safety awareness, anti-drug campaigns, and anti-bullying initiatives within school environments. The PNP has previously raised concerns regarding youth involvement in various issues, including:
- Petty crimes
- Online exploitation
- Gang activity
Nartatez urged educational institutions to adopt a more proactive stance rather than relying solely on police response after incidents occur. "Peace and order is not the exclusive job of the police. Keeping communities safe requires a whole-of-community approach that includes our academic institutions," he asserted.
Concrete Measures and Long-Term Vision
To support this initiative, the PNP announced several concrete measures:
- Increasing police visibility around school campuses, particularly during peak hours
- Expanding youth engagement programs focused on anti-drugs, anti-bullying, and online safety
- Training more officers in child protection and crisis response to better address issues involving minors
Nartatez emphasized that guiding the youth sector is fundamental to achieving long-term peace and order. "The more we guide our youth properly, the lower the chances of their involvement in violations of the law. Crime prevention starts in schools -- this is where discipline and awareness are formed," he explained.
He added that the strengthened partnership aims to shift efforts from reactive policing to preventive strategies. "The long-term impact of this partnership is safer communities. We will be more proactive instead of reactive in addressing threats to public safety," Nartatez concluded.
