PNP acts on 304 calls two days after launching helpline

June 2, 2020

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday said they have acted on more than 300 calls which they received through their “PNP Helpline 16677”.

PNP chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa said the 304 calls, which came from different parts of the country, came  two days after they launched the help hotline.

“The hotline is a quick response mechanism to assure the public that the PNP is ready to assist them at all times through the relevant and timely release of information, guidelines and updated regulations,” Gamboa said.

Last May 27, PNP and Philippine Long-Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company launched PNP Helpline “16677” which aims to strengthen communications and ensure the quick response of the PNP to the public’s urgent issues and concerns of the community relative to the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine and General Community Quarantine or the “new normal”.

During the 75-day quarantine period, Gamboa said they received a total of 8,102 calls and messages classified as complaint, inquiry, response and other concerns which were acted upon by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.

Since the activation of JTF Operation Center Hotline on March 17, it has received 8,102 calls classified into complaint, inquiry, response and other concerns.

From March 17 to May 31, 2020, daily average complaints and queries received by JTFCV Hotline Center are 106 calls with email and Viber messages.

On police response enforcing ECQ guidelines, JTFCV data showed that 175,338 quarantine violators were arrested, fined and warned.

Reports showed that about 822 persons were arrested for hoarding, profiteering and manipulation of prices of medical products and other essentials.

Some 12,508 violators were arrested for violating the prohibition on public transport operations in some parts of the country previously placed under ECQ.

Gamboa stressed the need to remind the public that checkpoints and curfew hours under the IATF’s GCQ regulations will still be enforced.

“We ask for your patience and continued cooperation. The threat of the COVID-19 pandemic is ever present and we are using information to educate and protect our people,” he said.

“The hotline should bridge all communication concerns between the PNP and the public,“ he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS