DILG WANTS ORDINANCE TO PUNISH 911 PRANK CALLERS

DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla urged all local chief executives to enact ordinances penalizing prank callers to the national emergency hotline.

Remulla made the appeal as they prepare to roll out the upgraded Emergency 911 system in August.

Based on reports from the E911 National Office that in 2024, nearly 12 million calls were handled by the system, about 60 percent of which were identified as fraudulent, hoax, or prank calls.

“Dapat may ordinance ang lahat ng LGUs na may monetary fine, jail time basta prank call,” Remulla said.

The DILG chief warned the public that the new system will have tracking capabilities to quickly identify prank callers.

“May geofence at geo data kasi ang lahat ng tatawag. So, kung tumawag ka at prank call ka, within five minutes, mahuhuli ka nila,” Remulla said.

Currently, individuals who maliciously spread false information may face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to P40,000, or both, under Presidential Decree 1727.

The enhanced system will also include language-sensitive capabilities and push-to-talk over cellular (PoC/PTToC) features that allow real-time coordination with more than 1,000 police officers nationwide.

Remulla said the upgraded system is part of the administration’s broader push for faster police response in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for improved police visibility and public safety.

He added that all local government emergency systems would be integrated into a single, unified 911 network.

Remulla said that currently, 34 local government units have their own 911 while Camp Crame has its own.

“Ang gagawin natin, magkakaroon tayo ng unified system sa buong Pilipinas,”  he said.