Prank calls to 911 are no joke
The push by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to penalize prank calls to the national Emergency 911 hotline is not just timely—it’s necessary.
With nearly 60 percent of 12 million calls in 2024 flagged as hoaxes or pranks, this is not a minor nuisance—it’s a national concern. Emergency hotlines are lifelines, and clogging them with fake calls endangers real lives by delaying response times for genuine emergencies.
Local government units (LGUs) must urgently pass ordinances that impose harsh penalties—monetary fines, jail time, or both—on prank callers.
These are not harmless jokes. They consume government resources, waste manpower, and could cost lives.
The new 911 system includes geofencing.
The government must now ensure that criminals are prosecuted promptly.
Fragmentation among LGUs has hampered coordination in the past.
By consolidating into one system, the country can ensure more efficient and timely responses across all regions. Fragmentation among LGUs has hampered coordination in the past.
False reports are already punishable under Presidential Decree 1727. What we need now is consistent implementation and strong political will.
People should no longer treat prank calling 911 lightly—it’s a crime, not a joke.
