Unified 911 system now detects AI and bot calls, reduces prank incidents

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that AI-generated and automated prank calls can now be detected under the modernized Unified 911 System.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the new system enabled them to focus on urgent calls requiring assistance.

The new Unified 911 system now uses verification systems to recognize patterns linked to AI-generated calls and robo-dialing, causing a 98.3% drop in prank and abandoned calls since the new system was launched in September 2025.

It can track repeated suspicious and non-emergency calls, and automatically places numbers previously linked to prank reporting at a lower priority.

“Meron kasi tayo sa system natin na nava-validate natin kung ‘yan ay AI-generated. Sa system, nakikita na natin ‘yan,” said Emergency 911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo.

(We now have a feature in the system that validates AI-generated calls. We can see that in the system.)

“Iwasan na po natin tumawag kung hindi naman emergency. By the time na kayo na ang mangailangan ng tulong, baka hindi kayo agad masagot,” he added. 

(Let us avoid calling if it’s not an emergency. By the time you actually do need help, you might find it hard to get a response.) –NB, GMA Integrated News