@PNPhotline saves day for this ‘Juan’

MANILA, Philippines – With the flak the Philippine National Police has been getting over the alleged involvement by some of its men in criminal activities, knowing that there are those who can still be relied on to save the day through its @PNPhotline can be comforting.

Take the case of one man, who, for security reasons, will be identified only as “Wawa”, was referred by his barangay to police in Station 3 in Quezon City after an altercation with a neighbour.

Accompanied by a friend, who will also remain anonymous but is the source of this story, “Wawa” went to the station to report the incident. However, when they arrived, they could not be attended to immediately by the desk duty officer whose shift had just ended and was instead asked to wait for his replacement.

After a 30-minute wait, Wawa’s friend said he decided to send a text to @PNPhotline to report that there was no desk duty officer attending to their case.

Wawa’s friend said that whoever was monitoring tweets on @PNPhotline was quick to respond: “We will take appropriate action regarding this matter.”

@PNPhotline @dMorcosoINQ good morning po.. we will take appropriate action regarding this matter po.. salamat po

— NCRPO React (@NCRPOReact) September 27, 2014

When the desk duty officer finally came, it was only to inform Wawa to go to a nearby substation, Precinct 3, to make the report, his friend said. In Precinct 3, Wawa’s friend said they were entertained by one Sergeant Rubi who gave them instructions on what to do. Wawa’s friend said that it was at this time that a call came from Station 3 informing the complainant that they had just received word from @PNPhotline inquiring about the text message that it had received about the absence of a desk duty officer. Wawa’s friend said he spoke with the police officer from Station 3 who asked him, “Bakit ka nag-tweet sa PNP. Ini-entertain naman namin kayo.” (Why did you have to tweet the PNP. We’re entertaining you.) “Dahil sa tweet, pinagagawa kami ng written report,” the unidentified police officer said. (Because of your tweet, we are being asked to make a written report.) Wawa’s friend said after that phone conversation, he tweeted @PNPhotline about how they were attended to. The response was quick: “Update lang po kayo pag kailangan po ng assistance. Ingat po and God Bless.” (Just update us if you need assistance. Take care and God Bless.)

@dMorcosoINQ @PNPhotline update lang po kayo pag kailangan po ng assistanace.. ingat po and God bless. salamat po

— NCRPO React (@NCRPOReact) September 27, 2014

The account @PNPhotline was launched in May to encourage the public to text their concerns for quicker police response.

The Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) is managing the account, which at the time of its launch, had 16,000 followers.

RELATED STORIES

Multiple charges filed vs PNP chief Purisima

PNP urged to set up ‘netizens’ desk’ for photos, videos of criminal acts

‘Cool cops’ combat crime and ‘criminal minds’

Administrative raps readied vs 8 cops in Edsa robbery