Anti Bullying Notebooks

HOW DO you stop bullying in schools? Have police distribute notebooks to gradeschoolers. 

This is what Baguio City Police Chief Sr. Supt. Jesus Cambay and Benguet Provincial Police Office (PPO) Provincial Director Rodolfo Azurin did this Thursday, distributing 1,000 grade school notebooks to dependents of police officers who are in the elementary grades. 

The notebook look innocuous enough with the seals of both offices in front. But the inside cover has ten tips on how to avoid being a crime victim and on the inside back cover is the Top Ten Anti-Bullying Tips. On the back cover is the five simple things that a student can do to help the police and below is the telephone numbers of the emergency police assistance as well as the numbers of all police stations in Baguio and other pertinent emergency numbers. For the Benguet version, listed are the police stations of each municipalities. 

Cambay said that they thought of the idea after many parents complained of their children being bullied by schoolmates. 

He also said that gangs have proliferated not only among high school students but also among elementary students. 

"Bullying and gangs can be related. Not only are some of the bullies members of gangs but some of those bullied join gangs to protect them. We want to stop this vicious cycle," he said. 

He also said that many parents complained of theft inside their classrooms and while on their way back home, that's why they included tips on how to avoid becoming a crime victim. 

As for the anti-bullying tips, he said that he consulted guidance counselors and social workers before coming out with the list.

The Top Ten Anti-Bullying Tips according to BCPO and BPPO are:

1. LEARN ABOUT BULLYING

2. WALK AWAY

3. BE CONFIDENT

4. TELL AN ADULT

5. DON'T BULLY OTHERS

6. TALK WITH YOUR FRIENDS

7. BE AN ALLY

8. BE CYBERSMART

9. VALUE YOURSELF

10. BE INVOLVED

"You may not report immediately to the police but you have to tell an adult or someone you trust about your situation," he said. 

The tips on how to avoid being a victim include:

1. Always be on alert in crowded areas.

2. Always walk in well-lighted street and avoid dark alleys

3. Bags/wallets must be secured

4. Stay alert while riding in public conveyances

5. Avoid walking alone especially at night

6. Avoid carrying large amount of money

7. Don't talk to strangers

8. After class, go straight home immediately

9. Report bullying immediately

10. Know the emergency contact numbers

Including the police numbers became important because most elementary pupils already have cellphones, he added. 

"The Simple Things I can Do to Help the BCPO" are regularly shown in the giant screen of Abanao Square.

Cambay and Azurin decided to print 1,000 notebooks and distribute them among the police dependents but will print some more if there is a big demand.