Globe Telecom to charge five pesos for 911 calls to prevent hoaxes

globe telecom, Globe telecom to charge P5
Globe Telecom to Charge P5 To “911” to Prevent Hoax Calls – www.plnmedia.com

Globe Telecom issued a statement Wednesday saying it is ready for the country’s emergency hotline “911” system integration which will start August 1.

Globe said in the statement it will charge callers five pesos on top of any regular voice charges to discourage prank or hoax calls within the system.

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The statement read, “As suggested by the government to discourage prank calls, we would also like to inform our customers that those calling the hotlines will incur regular voice charges plus an additional P5/call for those calling the 911 hotline.”

“As a telecommunications provider, Globe recognizes the importance of such communication tool for the government to effectively carry out its initiative for the benefit of the public,” it added.

The statement comes after the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) told the public they are not to fool around with the system, and to fully attend to callers who truly need help in the matter of life and death.

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The system mimics that of the United States, a system often plagued by drunk callers and those doing nothing but trying to perform practical jokes and more.

The “911” system has been in place in Davao City for many years – it too has been plagued by prank callers and other fraudulent callers as the system is free to dial.

President Rodrigo Duterte said that the “911” system would be free, but has advised Globe Telecom to charge an added fee for those attempting to prank call the system.

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Globe said it will expedite the migration of its system to enable text messages through the national complaint hotline number 8888.

DILG officials said that the prior hotline number of 117 received an average of 57 prank and hang up calls per hour in 2015.