CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – A 19-year-old man was arrested for making a prank call on the Unified 911 emergency hotline in Santa Rosa City, Laguna Tuesday.
The Police Regional Office 4-A identified the suspect as Nathan of Barangay Don Jose, Santa Rosa City.
The Santa Rosa Component City Police Station received a report from the victim that he was robbed by unidentified suspects in the Balibago Commercial Complex at about 4 p.m.
Lawmen validated the report and confirmed that no robbery occurred and was a hoax.
Follow-up investigation revealed that the suspect sought police assistance to locate his girlfriend who left following a personal misunderstanding.
Nathan was arrested and is now in the custody of the Santa Rosa City Police for proper documentation and disposition.
The suspect was subjected to inquest proceedings and an appropriate case was filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Santa Rosa City.
Police Brig. Gen. Dominic Baccay, PRO 4-A director, stressed that every call received through the emergency hotline is treated as a legitimate emergency and acted upon without delay.
“Emergency Hotline 911 is not a hotline for pranks or fabricated reports. Every false call diverts our responders and resources from people who may be facing real emergencies. We urge the public to use the hotline responsibly because abusing this service has serious legal consequences,” Baccay said.