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PNP launches helpline for quick response to quarantine concerns

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

May 27, 2020, 12:20 pm

<p>PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa. <em>(File photo)</em></p>

PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa. (File photo)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday launched its Helpline “16677”, a communication hotline for public assistance and response in support of police operations relative to the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).

PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the hotline launched in partnership with the Philippine Long-Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company, aims to strengthen communications and ensure quick police response to the public’s urgent issues and concerns amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.

“We want a quick response system that will immediately address and respond to the public’s concerns in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The timely release of information and assistance is urgently needed by our people and the PNP’s helpline will provide just that,” Gamboa said in a statement.

The Directorate for Operations-PNP Command Center (DO-PCC) will be the communication hub for ECQ and GCQ concerns aside from its daily monitoring system relative to police operations and updates on law enforcement.

PLDT donated 52 units of mobile phones with load, 30 units of pocket Wi-Fi, 100 pieces of PHP300 prepaid cards, Enterprise SMS Messaging Suite, and the platform for the helpline.

“Within the month, the DO-PCC was able to complete all technical and administrative requirements for this new communication system, from coordination with PLDT, system configuration, setup, and testing of the 16677 platform,” Gamboa explained.

He added that the platform seeks to provide a "communication medium for the public to raise their issues and concerns relative to the implementation of rules and ordinances under ECQ and GCQ”. (PNA)

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