Pranksters still make bogus calls on 911

MANILA, Philippines — Despite a stern warning from the government, pranksters continue to make bogus calls on the unified 911 emergency response system.

From Sept. 11 to Nov. 9, a total of 146,463 calls were recorded on the hotline. Of the figure, at least 22,541 or 15.39 percent were the handiwork of pranksters, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier warned pranksters to refrain from making prank calls as the system has a geolocator to track them down.

“All cities have ordinances setting a fine and jail time for prank calls,” Remulla said in Filipino.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the figure showed that legitimate callers continue to outnumber pranksters, a sign that more Filipinos are relying on the hotline system.

Nartatez said 28,423 were legitimate calls that prompted an immediate police response.

The 911 system also documented 1,941 fire incidents and 8,058 calls for medical assistance.

Around 82,500, constituting the bulk of the calls, involved public safety concerns, coordination with other agencies and non-emergency inquiries.

The number also includes 7,200 calls about public order disturbances and 7,300 on crimes against persons.

Nartatez said the 146,463 legitimate calls indicated the public’s growing trust in the government’s central emergency hotline.

“By streamlining our operations, we respond faster and more effectively, helping save lives and maintain peace in our communities,” Nartatez said in a statement.

He added that the average response time under the 911 system is four minutes and 28 seconds, which shows the PNP’s capacity to respond swiftly, save lives and maintain peace and order nationwide.

“This is what a modern, accessible and accountable police force looks like,” Nartatez said.