More female police officers will be deployed to the frontlines to handle Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) reports reaching the national emergency hotline.

In a statement on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said there has been an increase in the number of VAWC calls received by Unified 911.

In 2025, Unified 911, which merged more than 30 local numbers into a single nationwide system, received over 5,000 VAWC calls. It now handles 300 to 500 calls monthly for faster, coordinated emergency response.

“The increase in the number of calls shows growing trust in the system,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

To sustain the momentum, the PNP is prioritizing the deployment of more women officers in barangays to assist victims.

Nartatez said this aims to provide a more empathetic and specialized response during delicate situations.

“By adding more women cops in the field, we hope victims feel safer in seeking help. This is not just about response. It’s about building trust and giving hope to those who need it most,” he said.

He added that strengthening 911 response units, specifically for VAWC cases, is also part of the immediate agenda.

“The Unified 911 system removed the barriers. Dati watak-watak ang hotlines, ngayon isang dial lang, konektado na ang PNP at barangay (Before, hotlines were scattered; now the PNP and barangay are just one dial away),” the PNP chief said.

In a separate statement, the DILG assured the public that the country’s Unified 911 system is fully prepared to respond to VAWC cases, with clear protocols in place to ensure swift, coordinated, and confidential assistance.

“If you experience violence, itawag n’yo agad sa 911. May protocol tayo d’yan na nasisigurado natin na ang reklamo ay matutugunan natin nang mabilis (Call 911 immediately. We have a protocol in place that ensures that we can respond to the complaint quickly),” Emergency 911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo said.

He emphasized that all reports are handled with strict confidentiality and processed in accordance with established response procedures.

Under the Unified 911 system, trained emergency telecommunicators immediately assess the nature and urgency of each VAWC-related call. Cases involving non-physical abuse or those requiring community-level mediation are promptly referred to the Barangay VAW Desk for documentation, intervention, and appropriate action. A feedback mechanism ensures callers receive updates and that concerned offices act on the reports.

Incidents involving physical abuse or imminent danger are escalated without delay to the Philippine National Police for immediate intervention. Police officers are dispatched to secure the victim’s safety and initiate legal action against the respondent, whether a spouse, live-in partner, or other offender. (PNA)