Mindanaotoday.com | PNP backs MisOr’s ‘Paglaum’ hotline
By: Jigger Jerusalem
The hotline’s goal is to ensure that there will be an unhampered line of communication especially in times of emergency.
According to the provincial government, the hotline (0917-724 5286) can also be used by Misamis Oriental residents to report to authorities any wrongdoings committed by provincial government workers.
Unabia has urged the public, specifically those living in the province, not to hesitate to call the hotline when the need arises.
“Use this hotline so government action on your issues and concern can be acted upon right away,” the governor said during the flag-raising ceremony and the launching of the hotline Monday, Sept. 5.
For his part, Col. Gonzalo Villamor Jr., provincial police director, said they were tapped to guide the local government on the handling of confidential information that may be reported to authorities using the hotline.
“If police assistance is needed, we have to respond with dispatch. Our police officers must not sleep on their job,” the provincial police chief told reporters during the Meet the Press organized by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Villamor said they are also required to respond even if one of their own personnel is the target of the complaint that is being called in through the hotline.
“One of our roles is to act on the complaint involving the police,” he said.
He added that the five-to-15-minutes response time for a distress call may only be applicable in urban centers but not in far-flung areas where villagers live some kilometers from the nearest police station.
Misamis Oriental has 956,900 residents (according to the Phil. Statistics Authority’s 2020 census) living in 424 barangays with a land area of 3,131.52 square kilometers and only 1,400 police officers distributed in the province’s 23 towns and two component cities.
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