Nocppo urges public to use 911 for emergencies

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office is intensifying efforts to promote 911 as the primary emergency hotline in the province to achieve faster and more efficient response times.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, deputy provincial director for administration of Nocppo, said the initiative is being carried out in coordination with local government units, with awareness campaigns to reach barangays and schools.

Malong said local police station hotlines remain active, but 911 should be the preferred contact because it is simple, free, and efficient.

“Let’s forget about the long hotline numbers. It’s difficult to memorize the 11-digit station hotlines,” Malong said.

She cited a recent incident in Ilog town, resolved within five minutes due to strategic deployment, as proof of the system’s effectiveness.

In a Wednesday press briefing, Police Col. Rainerio De Chavez, Nocppo director, clarified there was no intent to sensationalize the incident, but stressed that swift police response led to the suspect’s arrest despite the situation escalating into an armed encounter.

He added that beat patrollers are equipped with protective gear, including bulletproof vests.

“We don’t want to lose any of our officers—they have families waiting for them, too,” De Chavez said.

To support officers emotionally, the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region conducted a stress debriefing for 18 personnel exposed to traumatic events, highlighting the importance of mental health alongside physical preparedness.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, said the leadership prioritizes the mental and psychological well-being of personnel.

“We recognize that our men and women in uniform are constantly exposed to high-risk and emotionally demanding situations. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are not only physically equipped but also mentally and emotionally prepared,” Ibay said.

De Chavez acknowledged that response times vary in remote areas but said police strive to act quickly, guided by crime-prone area data and regular simulation drills.

“The patrol cars move fast, but we still prioritize safe driving,” he said.

Beat patrol officers are equipped with sketch maps and follow designated routes to ensure rapid responses, while connectivity issues are being addressed to improve coordination.

Although the five-minute response goal is most achievable in city centers or within a three- to five-kilometer radius, Malong said the aim is to respond as quickly as possible in remote areas in coordination with other units.

During the press briefing, De Chavez demonstrated a five-minute response time to the media through a simulation exercise at the boundary of Valladolid and Pulupandan towns in Barangay Central Palaka.

Using handheld radios and Zoom monitoring, Valladolid police responded in two minutes and 30 seconds, followed by Pulupandan police in about two minutes.

“When it comes to responding, we don’t stop to think whether it’s our area or not. If a crime happens, we respond, then turn over to the proper authorities who have jurisdiction,” De Chavez said.

He added that daily simulation exercises help identify gaps and improve response.

As part of its commitment to strengthen public safety, PRO-NIR also assessed three key operational areas: the condition and readiness of mobile patrol vehicles, the availability and use of bulletproof vests, and compliance with the five-minute response policy as indicated by standardized stickers.

These inspections ensure units are well-equipped, highly visible, and capable of swift, lawful, safe, and professional interventions.