MANILA (UPDATED) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government has formed a team to investigate the alleged delayed response in Taguig City to a call to the Unified 911 system.
The caller, who had sought medical assistance for his father, posted his complaint on social media, where it went viral.
DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Jed Mabilog said an investigating committee is consolidating details of the incident its report to the team created by DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
“No explanation can take away the pain of losing a loved one especially after desperately seeking emergency assistance,” Mabilog also told ABS-CBN News.
He said the DILG has yet to reach out to the family of caller Basty Askri but said the Taguig City government reportedly already has.
Mabilog said Taguig City responded to the 911 call but could not find Askri’s exact location. The family managed to seek help from the barangay, which dispatched a Patient Transport Vehicle.
‘LAUGHTER’ DURING CALL
Mabilog also said that the DILG is investigating Askri’s claim that he heard people laughing during the emergency call.
He said the 911 center is a controlled area with sound-reduction measures and where operators stay in front of their computers.
Mabilog added that when Askri called, the 911 operator connected the Taguig LGU in a three-way call.
“Iniimbestiga pa natin kung saan nanggaling ‘yung nagtatawanan,” Mabilog said.
(We are still investigating where the reported laughter came from.)
HOW UNIFIED 911 WORKS
Under the Unified 911 system, the national emergency center does not necessarily dispatch an ambulance directly.
The center instead contacts the local government unit where the caller is. The LGU then provides a response vehicle, depending on resources and on the caller’s needs.
“Ang LGU ang magpo-provide, magdadala personnel, vehicles, medical equipment, communication systems, while it is being monitored in the three-way call,” Mabilog said.
(It is the LGU that provides, or sends personnel, vehicles, medical equipment, communications systems while Unified 911 monitors in the three-way call.)
Mabilog said that potential lapses by DILG personnel will be referred to the legal or human resources department for action.
The DILG is also preparing a budget to strengthen the emergency response system.
The Philippine National Police earlier Monday said it is ready to support the investigation.
PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co also made clear the police do not oversee the Unified 911 system.
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/18/act-hits-back-at-malaca-ang-over-remarks-linking-teachers-to-culture-of-violence-2132
