911 is Negros Occidental police's primary emergency number
DE CHAVEZ (Glazyl Masculino)
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office is actively promoting 911 as the primary emergency number in the province.
During a media briefing at the provincial police headquarters here on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Negros Occidental police director Police Col. Rainerio de Chavez highlighted the importance of using 911, showcased a five-minute police response time in urban areas through a simulation exercise, and showed how to use dedicated number.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, Deputy Provincial Director for Administration (DPDA) of the Negros Occidental police, said that they are working with local government units (LGUs) to roll out the advocacy.
She added that they are planning to reach barangays and schools to further promote 911 awareness and use.
While existing hotline numbers at police stations remain active, Malong said that the preferred method for emergency calls is now 911.
“Let’s move away from using long hotline numbers. It’s difficult to memorize the 11-digit station hotlines,” Malong said.
Malong said that the 911 service is free of charge, and the public is encouraged to use it instead of calling station-specific hotlines.
“We want the public to know that 911 is now available, easier to remember, and more efficient,” she added.
Proof of this, she said, was a recent incident in Ilog town where a five-minute response was achieved due to the strategic deployment of personnel.
De Chavez said this was proof that due to immediate response, the suspect was caught even though it ended in an armed confrontation.
He said that beat patrollers are fully equipped with complete gear and vests. “We don’t want any police officer losing their life—they have families too,” he added.
Meanwhile, De Chavez said crimes in the province declined by 20 percent in the first seven months of this year.
De Chavez said crime went down by 499 incidents, from 2,486 cases to only 1,987. The peace and order indicator, which includes crimes against persons and property, dropped by 19.77 percent, from 1,922 cases in 2024 to 1,542 in 2025.
Focus crimes, which cover eight key offenses, dropped by 26.96 percent, with only 233 cases reported this year compared to 319 last year, a difference of 86.
De Chavez attributed the downtrend to intensified operations against wanted persons, loose firearms, and illegal activities.