While the presidential decree expressly states that it concerns itself with threats, there is still the possibility that it could be applied for prank calls on pleas for help. It further states:Īny person who, by word of mouth or through the use of the mail, telephone, telegraph, printed materials and other instrument or means of communication, willfully makes any threat or maliciously conveys, communicates, transmits, imparts, passes on, or otherwise disseminates false information, knowing the same to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made to kill, injure, or intimidate any individual or unlawfully to damage or destroy any building, vehicle, or other real or personal property, by means of explosives, incendiary devices, and other destructive forces of similar nature or characteristics. 1980 declares that “the malicious dissemination of false information” is unlawful. He also confirmed that the hotline is tracing the calls to reveal the prankster and arrest them. This sentiment was echoed by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

This is problematic, because if more than half of the calls are just pranksters, people with real emergencies won’t be able to get through. At least 1,356 were prank calls, and 304 of them were confirmed as such. When the 911 emergency hotline was launched this week, the hotline received 2,475 calls in its first seven hours.

Prank calling 911