The Philippine National Police (PNP) has just launched the “Text Bato” hotline service, along with the “Itaga Mo Sa Bato” mobile app, and its 24/7 Police Quick Response Center.

Signing a memorandum with local telecoms PLDT, through their mobile subsidiary Smart, and Globe Telecom, PNP hopes that these initiatives will encourage ordinary citizens to “directly contact PNP Chief Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa” (and his police team) and report crime incidents and other law-enforcement concerns through their smartphones. The service will complement the existing 911 emergency hotline.

Smart subscribers can text relevant police concerns by typing: BATO (space) their message then sending to 7444-2286.

Once the reports reach the hotline, the “Text Bato” platform will reply a confirmation message to the sender with “PNPBATO” as the unique sender name. To combat pranksters, the PNP will then verify these reports to determine the appropriate course of action.

Smart has also assigned a dedicated wireless device for PNP Chief dela Rosa himself to personally access all incoming messages and even have the option to directly reply to every message sender.

PLDT and Smart Spokesman and Public Affairs Head Ramon Isberto said that the telco will be committed to helping the PNP in making its services widely accessible to the general public. PLDT is also backing up the hotline system by providing speedy, reliable Internet connectivity at the “Text Bato” operations center.

“Aside from enabling this service, we also pledge to support the PNP in protecting the privacy of participating subscribers and in ensuring the confidentiality of each message transmitted to the text hotline,” said Isberto.

“Text Bato” message syntax for Smart subscribers:

• BATO (space) message then send to 7444-2286.
• P1 fee applies for every SMS.