As the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) prepares to roll out the upgraded Emergency 911 system this August, Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday urged all local chief executives to enact ordinances penalizing prank callers to the national emergency hotline.

“Dapat may ordinance ang lahat ng LGUs na may monetary fine, jail time basta prank call,” Remulla said, emphasizing that prank calling the emergency line must be met with real consequences. He noted that detailed guidelines will follow once the system is fully launched.

Reports from the E911 National Office showed that in 2024, close to 12 million calls were handled by the system, of which about 60 percent were identified as fraudulent, hoax, or prank calls.

Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, individuals who maliciously spread false information may face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to P40,000, or both.

Speaking during a simulation exercise at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Remulla 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,” he said.

The enhanced system will also include language-sensitive capabilities and push-to-talk over cellular (PoC/PTToC) features that allow real-time coordination with over 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.

“Despite the technology we are using, we are doing very well. Pero sa bagong sistema natin, I think the PNP will have better response time, better quality of response,” he said.

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

“Ngayon, 34 ang LGU na may sariling 911. Tapos may sarili ang Crame. Ang gagawin natin, magkakaroon tayo ng unified system sa buong Pilipinas,” he explained.