Viral 911 Controversy Sparks DILG Investigation After Grieving Son Speaks Out
911 – The viral controversy over an alleged delayed 911 response has taken a new turn, with DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirming an ongoing investigation.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Saturday, August 15, that authorities are investigating allegations of a delayed response involving the Unified 911 hotline.
The investigation follows a viral social media post by actor-performer Basty Askri, who expressed grief and frustration after his father died. In his post, Askri claimed that the emergency response and medical assistance connected to the 911 hotline were allegedly slow and insufficient.
Remulla’s statement regarding the investigation later reached Askri, who provided an update on Facebook on Sunday, August 16. In his post, Askri clarified that he had learned the ambulance sent to assist his family did not come from 911 but instead came from their barangay.
Following the clarification, Askri apologized for some of the emotional statements he made during the incident, explaining that they were influenced by grief, anger, and anxiety over his father’s death.
Askri also said that he and his family have decided not to answer further questions about the incident while the investigation by Remulla and other authorities is ongoing.
“Since this matter already raised with our Honorable Secretary Jonvic Remulla and the appropriate government authorities, ako at ang pamilya ko po ay nagdesisyon na huwag na munang sumagot sa mga katanungan tungkol sa incident na ito,” said Basty.
He further emphasized that he does not want to make additional claims or assumptions before authorities establish what actually happened.
“Ayaw na rin po naming gumawa ng karagdagang assumptions o accusations habang iniimbestigahan ang nangyari,” he added.
Askri said that if there were indeed shortcomings or delays in the emergency response, he would leave it to government authorities to determine and confirm the facts.
“But if there were failures or delays in the emergency response, hayaan po nating imbestigahan ng mga authorities kung ano talaga ang nangyari at kung ano ang kailangang ayusin sa sistema,” said Basty.
The investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the emergency response, including the source of the ambulance and whether any delays or failures occurred. For now, Askri and his family are choosing to wait for the findings of the authorities rather than make further statements while the investigation continues.
