The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acknowledged that many Filipinos remain unaware that the national emergency hotline 911 is now fully operational.
PNP Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III on Monday, June 23, expressed surprise over the lack of public awareness that the former emergency number 117 has been upgraded and reorganized as 911.
During the PNP’s flag-raising ceremony, Torre noted that the hotline is already in place to assist individuals in distress, whether they are victims of crime or caught in emergencies such as fires.
“Marami ang hindi pa nakakaalam, that we have effectively re-organize recalibrated ang 911,” said Torre.
“Marami tayong mga kababayan na hanggang ngayon hindi pala alam at hindi naniniwala na ang 911 ay gumagana. Please help me,” Torre said, appealing to his ranks and the general public.
It is also being utilized by the PNP to implement its “tightened response” system—especially in densely populated areas like Metro Manila, where quick reaction time is critical.
Torre further added that the public should no longer expect to physically visit police stations in emergencies, as police assistance is now just a phone call away.
Torre also emphasized that PNP personnel must memorize and internalize the agency’s new operational mantra, likening it to a poem that encapsulates the force’s renewed commitment to service.
The move is part of the PNP’s intensified efforts to modernize its operations and enhance the speed and efficiency of its emergency response.
