INTERIOR Secretary Jonvic Remulla issued a strong call for all local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances penalizing prank calls to the national emergency hotline, 911.
This announcement comes as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) prepares to launch an upgraded Emergency 911 system in August.
Remulla stressed the need for real consequences for prank callers, highlighting the significant burden they place on the system. In 2024, nearly 12 million calls were handled by the system, with approximately 60 percent identified as fraudulent or prank calls.
The Secretary emphasized that the new system will include robust tracking capabilities, enabling the swift identification of prank callers.
He explained that the system utilizes geofencing and geodata to pinpoint the location of callers, allowing for apprehension within minutes of a prank call.
While current laws under Presidential Decree 1727 address the malicious spread of false information, Remulla believes that specific ordinances targeting prank calls are necessary to deter this behavior. The enhanced 911 system will also feature language-sensitive capabilities and push-to-talk technology, facilitating real-time coordination among over 1,000 police officers nationwide.
The upgraded system is a key component of the administration’s broader effort to improve police response times and enhance public safety, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives.
Remulla highlighted that the new system will not only improve response times and quality but also integrate all local government emergency systems into a single, unified 911 network across the Philippines. Currently, 34 LGUs operate their own 911 systems, in addition to the separate system used by Camp Crame. The goal is to create a nationwide, unified emergency response system.
