Bacolod police urge public to call 911, skip social media for emergencies

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is campaigning for the use of 911 as the primary emergency hotline for quick response to any incident, instead of reporting through social media.

Police Capt. Dax Santillan, BCPO spokesperson, said in a radio interview that the 911 emergency hotline is much easier to memorize than the various cellphone hotlines of individual police stations.

Through 911, Santillan said, the hotline can immediately receive calls and complaints and quickly dispatch personnel from the nearest police station.

“The number is familiar for everyone and easy to remember,” he added.

“We aim for a faster response, and easy reporting of incidents to the police,” Santillan said.

Santillan said posting on social media takes time, while the police aim to address a complaint or report immediately.

He hopes 911 would become a universal number for emergency cases.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, acting regional director of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), is also pushing for 911 as a primary emergency hotline as part of his commitment to a SAFE region.

SAFE stands for Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and Extraordinary.

Meanwhile, 50 participants from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) took part in the 15-day Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) training on Monday, aimed at bringing police services closer to communities, particularly in geographically isolated and conflict-affected areas.

The training forms part of the government’s broader campaign against insurgency, terrorism, and criminality through strengthened community engagement and a whole-of-nation approach.

It aims to further enhance the capabilities of police personnel in community immersion, partnership-building, conflict resolution, crime prevention initiatives, and responsive public service.

It is also expected to equip participants with updated strategies and practical approaches in addressing peace and order concerns at the barangay level, while strengthening collaboration among law enforcement agencies, local government units, and community stakeholders.