PNP partners with Samsung to give public access to precincts via mobile app

In a bid to promote public safety and convenience, the Philippine National Police on Monday formally forged its partnership with tech giant Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation that would give the public access to police stations via its mobile app.

Samsung Business Unit Director for IT and Mobile Min Su Chu said that it would be the first time that they would be collaborating with the PNP to enhance its mobile service application, "Samsung 321," which provides a "database of institutions and facilities users can contact in case of emergencies."

A memorandum of understanding was signed by officials from the PNP led by Director Napoleon Taas, directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management, and officials from Samsung, including its President and Chief Executive Officer Ki Ho (Kevin) Lee, Vice President for Consumer Electronics Victor Filart, and Business Unit Head for IT and Mobile Jerry Manus.

With this partnership, Samsung users can access a verified list of contact details and location of the nearest police station by making use of global positioning system or GPS.

"Our challenge in the past is around 40 percent are covered only for the police, so with this collaboration it was raised to 200 percent," said Julius Arguson, Samsung Product Engineering and Technical Compliance Head for IT and Mobile.

Taas, meanwhile, assured that there will be no data security breach as the application "went through a rigid certification process."

"Part of that process is to ensure that no provisions of the [Data] Privacy Act are violated. If and when a privacy breach is encountered then we have the law supporting you, you can file a case," he said.

Users can also access the contact details and location of the nearest fire station, hospital, motor assistance provider, and even national disaster hotlines.

The Samsung 321 has been available since 2016 and is already pre-installed in select Samsung smartphone models or can be downloadable from the Google Play Store. The application can also be launched through the emergency call button.

The application is currently accessible in 84 locations nationwide, including the National Capital Region, Batangas, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Occidental Mindoro, Albay, and Palawan. — MDM, GMA News