Phone hotlines are now on, having been officially launched nationwide on Monday, August 1, by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Dial 8888 for complaints against government offices and personnel, and dial 911 for emergencies.
PNP Chief, Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar announced the launch and activation of the hotline systems together during a press conference at Camp Crame.
Quick response
Depending on the actual situation, calls are said to get a response within 5 to 10 minutes under normal conditions. However, the traffic situation and other factors like heavy rain, typhoon or sudden vehicular trouble should be considered. But the PNP chief assured the public that the entire PNP will give all-out efforts to make this a success, with its 18 regional offices, its 85 provincial officials, 5 police districts and 1,100 city police offices in Metro Manila all ready to respond at the quickest time possible.
Some 45 call agents are on standby to receive calls and dispatch them to the proper police offices or stations. On day one of the operation, at exactly 12:01 in the morning, work started and a recorded 2,475 calls were made during the day. But only 75 calls were legitimate. Drop calls totaled 1,119 (callers dialed and hung up when a call agent answered) while prank calls totaled 304.
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But no prank calls please
Consequently, dela Rosa warned anyone who would try a prank call on the hotlines just to try if the system really exists, if it really works, or just plain disturb the operation. Arrests will be made.
“We are currently tracking the prank callers and we will make sure that you will be unmasked,” the PNP quoted dela Rosa as saying.
Thus, dela Rosa appealed to the public to “refrain from making prank calls or test calls to our 911 hotline because this will clog up the lines and prevent the people with real emergencies to reach us.” Every second counts during rescue or emergency situations.
According to a TV news report, using the hotlines come with a minimal cost of P5.50 per call mainly to somewhat discourage prank calls. An executive order making the calls free is expected to be signed soon.
The PNP head was proud to announce how the hotline system became operational nationwide after only a month in his office. “Exactly one month since my assumption as chief PNP, we now have 911 as the nationwide emergency response number,” dela Rosa announced.
Call 8888 after slow 911 response
Dela Rosa said that whoever experiences a delayed 911 response can call the 8888 hotline and relay their complaints directly to the President’s office, Rappler reported.
“Isipin niyo kung kayo ay hindi nirespondehan ng pulis, tawag nila sa 8888, diretso kay president ‘yan… sigurado mamalasin ‘yung pulis kung hindi gumagalaw,” dela Rosa was quoted telling reporters.
He also noted how both hotlines complemented each other.
Sources: (gmanetwork.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net, rappler.com)
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