Security tightens as bar exams in UST start Sunday -MPD » Manila Bulletin News

By Erma Edera

More than 400 Manila Police District (MPD) personnel will be deployed around the University of the Santo Tomas (UST) to enforce tightened security for the 2018 bar examinations which will be held on all four Sundays of November.

In an interview, MPD spokesperson Superintendent Ana Lourence Simbajon said that as early as 7 a.m. Saturday, they have deployed personnel for explosive and ordinance disposal (EOD) paneling and CCTV monitoring in all four corners of UST campus.

Simbajon also noted that they added more police compared to 200 cops that were deployed last year.

“Very tight ang security natin. Nagdagdag kami ng police kasi mas dumami yung mga bar examinees natin, 8,701 compared dati na 6,000 plus lang,” she said.

With the huge influx of examinees that will also be supported by their families and friends, Manila police also expect criminal activities to take advantage of the situation so as early as 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, police will be deployed in the examination venue.

MPD Chief Superintendent Rolando Anduyan also said that they have “doubled their efforts and heightened the level of security on several points of convergence.”

Anduyan warned against several modus operandi and reminded the public to be more vigilant and alert.

“If you notice any unusual activity or suspicious-looking persons, please immediately report it to the authorities,” he said.

Anduyan also said that it has not monitored any threat on security.

MPD also collaborated with other agencies such as the Joint Task Force- National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Coast Guard, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), Bureau of Fire, Highway Patrol Group-Manila, UST and the Supreme Court to ensure and prepare for the contingency measures needed in the 2018 bar exams.

Around 8,701 law graduates are set to take the bar examinations this year.