Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787040291489Screen Shot 2026-08-18 at 8.05.55 AM (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from DILG&#x27;s Facebook page</em> <br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday vowed to strengthen the Unified 911 system following the alleged delay in the emergency response to a caller seeking help for a man suffering from a stroke in Taguig City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/17/pnp-ready-to-support-probe-into-alleged-911-response-delay-1545">DILG forms team to investigate alleged 911 response delay</a></div><p>The DILG acknowledged gaps in the response to the emergency involving the relative of Basty Askri, who later died after being brought to a hospital.</p><p>“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Askri. We are deeply sorry for your loss,” said DILG Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications Rolando Puno said.</p><p>“DILG takes full responsibility for every gap we find, and we will find them. That is the commitment we are making today, not just to the Askri family, but to every Filipino who picks up the phone and dials 911,” he added</p><p>Based on the investigation, the local responding team was dispatched but had difficulty locating the patient&#x27;s exact residence.</p><p>“There was an attempt to call and ask for additional directions, but unfortunately, we were unable to establish contact. The exact dispatch time, attempted calls again, movement of the response vehicle, and arrival time remain subjects for verification,” DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Jed Mabilog said.</p><p>Mabilog said authorities later learned that the street also had a name, which could have helped responders locate the residence faster.</p><p>Mabilog also clarified that the vehicles involved were PTVs, which are primarily intended to transport patients to medical facilities and should not automatically be considered fully equipped basic or advanced life support ambulances.</p><p>The distinction is relevant to concerns raised over the availability of CPR, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), oxygen, resuscitation equipment and the medical capabilities of responders, he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BACKGROUND NOISE UNDER INVESTIGATION</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The DILG also addressed concerns over alleged background noise and laughter heard during the emergency call.</p><p>Mabilog said it remains unclear where the sounds came from.</p><p>Because the call involved the caller, the national Unified 911 center and the Taguig Command Center, authorities are still reviewing the complete recording and circumstances surrounding the call.</p><p>“This remains under investigation and no premature conclusion will be made until the complete recording and circumstances are fully reviewed,” Mabilog said.</p><p>Unified 911 Executive Director Francis Fajardo said authorities have already identified the agent who received the call and are reviewing the full audio recordings from the command center, as well as statements from personnel and responders on the ground.</p><p>Fajardo said 33 emergency telecommunicators were on duty at the time.</p><p>“We pull out full recordings of the audio doon sa command center natin, magre-reflect naman po lahat. And of course the responders on the ground, we will pull out the records and statements of all involve. We commit to deliver so as to who is the responsible,” Fajardo said.</p><p>Mabilog said anyone found to have committed a lapse or violation in connection with the incident could face legal action from the department.</p><p>Mabilog said the Unified 911 system has received around 2 million calls since it was launched on September 11, 2025, or an average of about 70,000 calls per day nationwide.</p><p>The volume of calls is among the issues being reviewed, with Mabilog saying the DILG may recommend increasing the number of call takers.</p><p>Calls that are not immediately picked up by regional 911 centers are transmitted to the National Command Center to help prevent delays in receiving emergency calls.</p><p>Mabilog stressed that the incident exposed areas where the system could still improve.</p><p>“The system works, but every major safety system must continuously improve. We will use this experience to build a stronger, faster, better coordinated, and better equipped emergency response network. From the moment the Filipino dials 911 until help actually arrives, government must work as one system.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pc36CTSOj6s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday vowed to strengthen the Unified 911 system following the alleged delay in the emergency response to a caller seeking help for a man suffering from a stroke in Taguig City.</p>

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday vowed to strengthen the Unified 911 system following the alleged delay in the emergency response to a caller seeking help for a man suffering from a stroke in Taguig City.

DILG vows to improve Unified 911 system after alleged delay in Taguig response

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

DILG vows to improve Unified 911 system after alleged delay in Taguig response

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2026 04:07 PM PHT

Read More:

DILG

Unified 911

caller

emergency response

delay

Taguig

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.