Subscribers of Globe Telecom will be charged P5.00 on top of regular voice charges when calling the new 911 emergency hotline, according to a report by GMA News on Wednesday.

Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo confirmed the news: “We would also like to inform our customers that those calling the hotlines will incur regular voice charges plus an additional P5/call for those calling the 911 hotline.” Castelo mentioned that the measure was suggested by the government to discourage prank callers.

“As a telecommunications provider, Globe recognizes the importance of such communication tool for the government to effectively carry out its initiatives for the benefit of the public,” the lawyer noted.

The upcoming 911 hotline will be replacing Patrol 117 as the country’s national emergency hotline number. A citizen’s complaints hotline will also be implemented using the 8888 hotline.

Source: GMA News Online