GPS-based Sumbungan App launched for faster police, emergency response in Infanta

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Infanta officials and police personnel attend the recent launch of the GPS-based Sumbungan App at the In...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino

Infanta officials and police personnel attend the recent launch of the GPS-based Sumbungan App at the Infanta Municipal Police Station. (JR Narit)

INFANTA, Quezon — Residents in Infanta now have a GPS-based way to seek police help that can transmit the location of an emergency as soon as a report is made. The municipal government and Infanta Municipal Police Station soft-launched the Sumbungan App on Aug. 28 for crimes, emergencies and other public-safety concerns across the town.

Through the platform, users can contact the police command center through chat or SMS, place a voice call, or press an emergency button when immediate assistance is needed. Once an alert is sent, GPS identifies the location and displays the incident on the command center dashboard, allowing police to determine which personnel should be deployed.

Mayor Lord Arnel “L.A.” Ruanto said the platform was developed to give residents direct access to the Infanta police command center through several reporting options. He said alerts are also linked to the mobile phones of police personnel, allowing the command center to notify officers nearest an incident as soon as a report is received.

“Sa pamamagitan ng SMS o message sa app, maaaring tumawag o pindutin lamang ang emergency button at ma-identify agad kung saan ang possible crime location o kung saan nangyari ang insidente,” Ruanto said. “Naka-GPS ito at once na makapagsumbong, agad na nano-notify ang command center at nalalaman kung sino ang pinakamalapit na PNP personnel na maaaring rumesponde.”

Ruanto, Infanta police chief PMaj. Fernando Credo and members of the Sangguniang Bayan led the soft launch held at the Infanta Municipal Police Station. Formally called the Integrated Public Safety, Emergency Response and Community Intelligence Platform, the system was described during the launch as the first of its kind in Quezon and CALABARZON.

Credo, acting chief of the Infanta Municipal Police Station, said the app is not limited to crime reports and may also be used for emergencies requiring government assistance. Residents may report accidents, drowning incidents and similar situations in which immediate coordination is needed among police personnel and other government responders.

“Malaking tulong po ito sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Infanta sapagkat libre ang application at ida-download lamang nila upang makapagsumbong ng reklamo o pangyayaring nangangailangan ng police response,” Credo said. “Maaari rin nilang i-report sa amin kahit hindi krimen, tulad ng aksidente o pagkalunod, kung kinakailangan ng agarang tulong mula sa pulis o ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan.”

The application initially carries two main reporting modules, including a text-based option that allows users to attach photographs or videos showing details of an incident. It also has an SOS button that must be pressed for three seconds before an alert is sent to the command center and relayed to police personnel in the field.

Credo said the platform can help victims or witnesses report an incident without requiring them to remain at a location where they may still face danger. He said the feature gives police another way to receive information when staying at the scene could expose the person reporting to further risk.

“Malaking tulong ito sa mga biktima o saksi na gustong makapag-report nang hindi na kinakailangang manatili sa lugar ng insidente,” Credo said. “Sa pamamagitan ng SOS o emergency feature, maaaring agad na maipadala ang alerto sa command center at maipasa ang impormasyon sa mga patroller na nasa ground.”

The system may also work with a small emergency device that can be installed in homes or business establishments and positioned where users can reach it quickly. It is intended for situations in which a victim cannot use a cellphone, including incidents where a suspect may take or grab the person’s phone before help can be called.

Calls made through the platform can be recorded, while complaints received by police are logged so they can be verified and followed up when necessary. Users must register before using the service, allowing authorities to confirm the identity behind a report while discouraging prank calls and deliberately false submissions.

Ruanto said the system relies on residents taking an active role in reporting crimes, emergencies and suspicious activity they encounter in their communities. He stressed that maintaining peace and order requires timely information from the public working alongside the response and enforcement efforts of local police.

“Ang katahimikan ng ating bayan ay hindi lamang nakasalalay sa ating kapulisan o sa mga taong may awtoridad, higit sa lahat ay nakasalalay ito sa partisipasyon ng bawat mamamayan,” Ruanto said. “Kaya napakahalaga na maging bahagi ang ating mga kababayan sa pagbibigay ng impormasyon na makatutulong sa ating kapulisan.”

Ruanto also urged residents to use the app responsibly whenever they witness an incident or encounter activity they believe should be checked by authorities. He said reports submitted through the platform may also be assessed as intelligence information before police determine the appropriate response or referral.

“Napakalaking bagay ng inyong pag-download at paggamit ng app kapag may insidente ng krimen o may nakita kayong kahina-hinala na maaaring ipa-verify,” Ruanto said. “Maaari rin itong magamit bilang intelligence information upang mas mabilis na makaresponde ang ating mga kapulisan.”

The municipal government plans to first synchronize the platform with police operations before extending its use to other local response units and government offices. Complaints that do not require police action may eventually be referred through the command center to barangays or agencies better equipped to handle the concern.

Ruanto said the application had already been submitted to the Play Store when it was launched and would be made available to residents at no cost. Once publicly available, the platform will connect residents directly with the town’s police command center for crime reports, emergencies and other incidents requiring prompt attention.